Khyber Agency's Bara district handed back to civil administration: ISPR

PESHAWAR:

A top military spokesman confirmed on Tuesday that the affairs of Bara region in Khyber Agency are being handed over to the political administration.

This is being done upon the completion of successful military action against militants.

Lt-Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa, director general of the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), confirmed this development in a tweet on social media site Twitter.

In his tweet, Lt Gen Bajwa states, “Bara area, Khyber Agency handed back to civil administration after clearance, for return of traders and opening of bazaars. Max TDPs were returned to Khyber.”

A resident of Bara, however, claimed that the transfer of powers is taking place gradually.

Local resident Sher Khan also confirmed the development, saying tribesmen are being allowed to renovate their damaged houses and shops. According to him, military officers are allowing traders and owners of commercial markets and others to prepare for resumption of their routine business activities in the area.

Apparently the formal surrender of administrative affairs to the civil administration is likely to take place after December 25, he said.

Officials in the political administration said that efforts were under way to reactivate old check posts and checkpoints in the Bara region.

The government has already signed agreements with the traditional Jirga’s of all eight clans of the Afridi tribe, including Sepah. Not everyone has been allowed to return. Mangal Bagh, who is chief of the outlawed Lashkar-e-Islam, has been barred from re-entering the region.

Despite that, members of Mengal Bagh’s Sepah tribe have agreed to extend maximum support to the government in action against militants. They were won over following successful mediation of leading elders from the area.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 16th,  2015.