All you need is love: Tension between Pattan, Palas tribes likely to thaw

Jirga convened to ensure Kohistan remains peaceful

ABBOTABAD: The tension between Palas and Pattan tribes of Kohistan is likely to ease from Saturday (today) as elected representatives agreed to promote amity for the sake of law and order.

To avoid the breakdown of public order, Hazara Division Commissioner Muhammad Akbar Khan convened a grand jirga of both parties on Friday. The standoff between Pattan and Palas took an aggressive turn over dividing Kohistan into two districts, which was deemed unconstitutional by the high court.

According to a press release issued from the office of Hazara Division Commissioner, the jirga comprising elected representatives, elders and members from provincial and national assemblies, unanimously decided both groups will remain peaceful, not interfere in government activities, not make provocative speeches and not hold any press conferences.

Ironing out differences

After hearing both sides, Muhammad Akbar said instead of taking part in any activity that would harm the district in any form, everyone should work towards developing Kohistan. He said a lot of development work was going on in the district and nothing should be done to hamper it.

“Hatred needs to be abolished, and love and brotherhood need to be promoted among the people of the district,” the commissioner said. Muhammad Akbar added people should not block government machinery from carrying out its responsibilities.

Both sides agreed to promote peace and stability and assured order will be maintained.

Adviser to Chief Minister Haji Abdul Haq, Kohistan MNA Sarzameen Khan, MPA Maulana Asmatullah, MPA Abdul Sattar Khan, MPA Zar Gul Khan, the Hazara DIG, Maulana Karimdad Khan, Pattan Action Committee head Misar Khan, Kohistan DC, Kohistan DPO and a large number of elders also attended the jirga.

Past threat

When Peshawar High Court declared the provincial government’s notification for bifurcation of Kohistan null and void, dozens of armed villagers from Pattan blocked Palas-Pattan Road on February 20, disallowing residents of Palas to enter the limits of Pattan.

During this tension, according to Afzal Lala, a resident of Palas, villagers from 13 union councils of Palas including students and patients were not allowed to use the road. He said after the blockade, patients could not be shifted to Pattan hospital due to which five deaths were reported from different areas.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 12^th, 2016.