Tribes given 24 hours to rescue FDA workers

South Waziristan officials warn of action under Frontier Crimes Regulation

DI KHAN: The political administration of South Waziristan Agency has given 24 hours to the Suleman Khel and Dottani tribes to rescue nine workers of the Fata Development Authority (FDA) who were kidnapped a day earlier.

An official told The Express Tribune on Friday that action would be taken under the Frontier Crimes Regulation if the tribes failed to recover the abducted individuals.



Under the Frontier Crimes Regulation, the tribes are bound by collective responsibility to ensure their areas are kept safe and are not used for anti-state purposes.

“If the deadline expires [without the rescue of kidnapped men], the political administration will launch a crackdown against both tribes,” the official said. “They will not be issued CNICs and their domiciles will be suspended. Their business centres will also be shut down.”

The men were kidnapped on their way to inspect Chutangi dam, which is under construction in Zermilan area of Toi Khulla tehsil of Wana subdivision. They were travelling in two vehicles. One was taken away while the other was left behind.

Three of the kidnapped workers were FDA employees while the others were locals working for the authority on the development project. No militant group has come forward to claim responsibility.

Governor concerned

Expressing concern over the kidnapping, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra has directed the officials of security agencies and political administration to take concrete steps for their safe and early recovery.



The governor ordered the officials to make all-out efforts to ensure the safety of the kidnapped men as no negligence would be tolerated.

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