Gomal Zam workers: Displaced Mehsud tribe seeks exemption from FCR

Political administration warns of action against tribesmen.

DERA ISMAIL KHAN: A jirga of South Waziristan’s political administration on Wednesday asked tribal elders of the agency to help recover the kidnapped men working on the Gomal Zam Dam project, saying strict action would otherwise be taken against the Mehsud tribe under the collective responsibility clause of the Frontier Crimes Regulation.

Eight men working on the  project were kidnapped on August 15 when they were returning home to DI Khan to celebrate Eidul Fitr with their family. Tehreek-e-Taliban later claimed responsibility and said one of the workers had been slain.

Political Agent Shahidullah Khan said the administration was under immense pressure to recover the workers.

Mehsud elders, however, said they were living in Tank and DI Khan after being displaced. As a result, the collective and territorial responsibilities of the FCR did not apply to them, they argued. The elders said it was impossible for them to ensure the release of the abducted men and that they could present their stance to any authority or forum. “We can only appeal for their safe release,” said one participant.

They rejected allegations of their involvement and asked officials if they had any evidence.

Participants later agreed to form a committee comprising elders of Mehsud and Ahmadzai Wazir tribes to sort out issues that had been a cause of misunderstanding between the two.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 27^th, 2012.