First of its kind: Unprecedented lifetime ban on weapons in Jamrud

Tribesmen to respond after convening jirgas over decision to adhere to restriction.

JAMRUD:

The political administration of Jamrud on Monday placed a first of its kind lifetime ban on display of weapons in Jamrud Bazaar and directed tribesmen to form a committee to curb law and order.

Addressing Kokikhel, Mullagori and Jhandakhel tribesmen at Jamrud Jirga Hall, Khyber Agency Political Agent Shahab Ali Shah said the ban is unprecedented in the tribal areas, but was a necessity as government officials were relentlessly being targeted in the sub-division despite tribes’ assurances of ensuring peace in their areas.



The political agent said tribesmen should form a sub-committee which would be responsible for restoring peace in the region, as the tribesmen’s body formed by the political administration had not done its job. “I am ready to give the tribesmen all the incentives but they also need to do their part. I am not satisfied with the performance of the elders,” he said.

Shah said strict action would be taken against administration officials found guilty of any form of corruption in the agency and urged tribesmen to solve personal disputes through jirgas and help change the volatile situation of the region.

He said if the situation persists in its present form in Landikotal and Jamrud, very soon law and order there would be worse than Bara, adding every day security forces and government officials, along with tribesmen, were being targeted and the tribes were not taking action against militants in their respective areas.

The political agent said the newly-formed sub-committee would settle local disputes in accordance with the tribal customs and punish those sabotaging peace. “We are doing this to ensure the complete implementation of law in the region,” he explained, adding strict action would be taken against those displaying weapons in Jamrud tehsil and the bazaar.

Jamrud will be the first subdivision in the area where the political administration has indefinitely banned the display of weapons. Earlier, the government had imposed temporary bans but the lifetime ban is a first of its kind in all of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas where guns are an integral part of the local culture.

Talking to journalists, Kokikhel tribal elder Malik Faizullah Jan said he has called a jirga of his tribe on Tuesday (today) in which he will forward the government’s demand of banning weapons. “Currently, I cannot decide on the issue. The tribesmen will collectively decide their own fate,” he said.

Israr Malik, another tribal elder from Jamrud, said he too has convened a jirga at his hujra on Tuesday in which he will discuss the matter and inform the political agent about their decision regarding the ban. “If the tribesmen agree, we will inform the political agent and if they disagree, we will tell him (political agent) to take back his decision,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 4^th, 2014.