Beacon of hope: Inayat Kalay Bazaar reopens after 22 days

Market closed since March 1, after a Frontier Corps person was killed

SHABQADAR: Inayat Kalay Bazaar finally reopened after 22 days on Tuesday. All tribespeople have assured their collective responsibility for the protection of their land.

A jirga was held in Khar where Bajaur Agency Political Agent Aamir Khattak announced the opening of Inayat Kalay market. he said it was the responsibility of tribespeople to keep a track of suspects in the market and form a market committee to monitor suspicious activities. He said instead of relying on former traders who previously dealt with all administrative issues, the new committee should deal with such matters.

On the occasion, Bajaur Agent Scout commandant Colonel Nair Zaman said security is the responsibility of law-enforcement forces and he appealed to tribespeople to assist them in their job and eradicate militancy from the region. He praised people from the agency who fought in Kashmir alongside these forces in order to safeguard their homeland.

PML-N Fata Youth President Nizamuddin Khan welcomed the reopening of the bazaar and encouraged tribespeople who assured their support and cooperation to security forces.

Later, participants visited Inayat Kalay and met traders, informing them of the decision taken by the administration. MNA Bismillah Khan, Senator Hidayatullah Khan, MNA Shahabuddin Khan and tribal elders were present on the occasion.

The market had been closed since March 1, after a Frontier Corps person was killed in the area by unidentified men.