PESHAWAR, Aug 22: The Ahmad Zai Wazir Gangi Khel tribe of South Waziristan Agency has entered into an agreement with the government under which it has resolved to keep its entire area free of foreign and unwanted elements.

The tribe has agreed to cooperate with the government in maintaining peace in the area. Under the agreement, the tribe is bound to hand over wanted people to the government and has also pledged Rs10 million, one-fourth of which has been deposited in cash.

In return the government has promised to resume the development process in their areas. A representative jirga comprising elders of the tribe called on NWFP Governor Lt-Gen (retd) Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah at Governor House here on Sunday and assured him all-out cooperation in accordance with the agreement.

The governor welcomed the tribe's decision, saying their offer was quite appreciable. "We duly recognize that tribesmen as a whole are patriotic citizens of Pakistan and are not involved in any kind of terrorist activities except a few (among them) who, because of their lust for money or other selfishness, are supporting the foreign elements," the governor remarked.

The governor made it clear that the government did not have any grudge against tribal people. "Our only desire is that they should maintain peace in their areas and do not extend any assistance to foreigners who are causing difficulties for us," he said.

"We are also ready to provide soft corner to foreigners as well subject to the condition that they pledge to live in accordance with the prevailing customs, values and law of the land," the governor said.

He added that dialogue with other tribes was also in progress to reach similar agreements. He expressed the confidence that "we all would make the South Waziristan Agency a cradle of peace."

He said that agreements made with the tribes would be fully honoured and their areas would be developed with an accelerated pace. -PPI