Talking points: Political administration vows to honour 2007 agreement

43 tribesmen arrested on for not maintaining law and order released on bail

WANA: The political administration of South Waziristan has assured elders from the Ahmadzai Wazir tribe that the 2007 peace treaty will be honoured and no injustices against the tribe will be tolerated.

This was the gist of discussions at a jirga held in Wana on Friday where around 120 members of the tribe met Assistant Political Agent (APA) Mehboob Ahmad Achakzai. The purpose of the jirga was to press the authorities to follow through with the terms and conditions of the peace agreement reached in 2007.

During the jirga, the release of 43 tribespeople arrested for failing to maintain law and order in their respective regions was also discussed. Officials of the political administration decided to release them on bail.

The tribespeople, who belonged to Kangi Khel clan of Ahmadzai Wazir tribe, were arrested following the assassination of a leading tribal elder at Azam Warsak. Jirga members pledged to cooperate with the authorities to find the real culprits behind the attack.

Best interest

Members of the tribe also informed the officials about their hardships. They voiced resentment over the demolition of decades-old buildings during an encroachment drive in Wana Bazaar.

Achakzai reminded them the encroachment drive was conducted to widen roads in all urban cities in Pakistan, including Wana. He urged the elders to cooperate as the decision to remove illegal encroachments will beautify the city.

The APA also assured the elders that no one will be allowed to create hurdles for tribespeople. He urged tribal elders to continue supporting law-enforcement agencies as it would be in their best interest.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 24^th, 2015.