MINGORA: A jirga (people’s council) was formed in Bahrain, Swat district, on Sunday to resolve disputes between the people of Swat and Kohistan.
The jirga comprising residents of Bishigram, Balakot, Kalam, Utror, Mankiyal and Bahrain was formed at the village and union council levels in the area.
“People were first sensitised about the problems in education, infrastructure, health, human rights and environment sectors in their areas and then united on one platform,” said Zubair Torwali, the executive director of Idara Baraye Taleem-o-Taraqi.
“Jirga is an ancient social institution and we need to use our knowledge and make it relevant to the modern times by broadening the vision and working of such institutions,” he said.
It covers six union councils and has over 350 members
Swat-Kohistan is usually referred to the areas in upper Swat beyond the town of Madyan where majority of people is of non-Pakhtun descent. This hilly area includes the valleys of Bahrain and Kalam. The area is equal to one half of the Swat valley with a population of almost 350,000 people.
The Swat-Kohistan Qaumi Jirga covers the area of Swat-Kohistan, which is administratively divided into six union councils/wards. The jirga has over 350 members with central and executive committees. The central committee has 60 members representing all the six union councils while the executive committee has 12 members.
Haji Abdul Jalil from Bahrain was elected chairman, Adalat Khan from Bishigram vice-chairman and Malik Shehzada from Kalam general secretary.
Speaking to this scribe, Mr Jalil said that their area was less developed in Swat and they would work with the newly elected local governments for an ‘integrated and inclusive’ development of Swat-Kohistan.
IRRIGATION CHANNEL: Provincial minister for irrigation Mahmood Khan on Sunday inaugurated construction work on 23 kilometres irrigation channel at Bagh Dherai, Swat. The project costing Rs800 million would be completed in two years.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, he said that this channel would irrigate 7,000 acre agricultural land and fruit orchards. He said that the channel would also provide drinking water to the local population, while many people would get employment.
The minister said that the channel would store 62 cusecs water which would create opportunities for construction of small hydel power stations.
Swat valley was the worst hit by July 2010 floods, washing away nearly all the irrigation channels constructed along the Swat River. Local farmers have welcomed start of work on the irrigation channel.
Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2015
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