GHALLANAI, Feb 25: Political Agent Sahibzada Mohammad Anees has said that the tribal people unconditionally surrendered illegal lethal weapons to the administration during the past one week , adding that the de-weaponization campaign would continue in the future.

Speaking to reporters at a ceremony held to display the surrendered weapons at the Agency Headquarters here on Wednesday, he said that after the deployment of army troops in the agency, the tribesmen no longer felt the need to keep lethal weapons.

He said the tribal elders arrived at the conclusion after holding several jirgas that they should surrender the lethal weapons as these could be used in the inter-tribe disputes after the army moved into the agency for security of borders.

Now, the army and paramilitary forces have taken the responsibility of tribal people and the land's security, Mr Anees said. Replying to a question, he said that allocation under the annual development programme had also been increased, adding that various projects had been initiated to develop the far-flung parts of the agency.

Sahibzada Anees said that work on different schemes approved by the president and governor under special development packages for Khawezai and Baizai areas was in progress.