Tirah affectees to hold grand jirga on Thursday

Tribal assembly to discuss safe return, financial aid and future protest strategy

KHYBER:

Tehreek Mutasireen Tirah will hold a joint consultative Grand Jirga on 20 August at Bara Press Club to discuss the dignified and safe return of Tirah affectees, provision of financial assistance and other demands. The 24-member committee along with currently elected representatives and the special representative of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister have been invited to participate.

The Grand Jirga will deliberate in detail on the problems faced by Tirah affectees, their return, the provision of financial aid and other legitimate demands. A future course of action will also be decided to press the government for fulfilment of these demands.

The decision was taken on Sunday at a consultative jirga of Tehreek Mutasireen Tirah. Addressing the meeting were Tehreek Mutasireen Tirah Chairman Rahmat Shah Afridi, spokesman Sohbat Afridi, Bara Political Alliance President Hashim Khan, Khyber Union's Murad Saqi, PPP's Sher Shah Khan, PML's Zahir Shah Afridi, Tirah Traders Union President Sher Afgan, Tirah Political Alliance President Zahid Khan, Tirah Doctors Association's Dr Nazir Khan Zakha Khel, Mashar Darya Khan, Saud Khan, Barqambar Khel Mashar Syed Rehman Afridi, 80-member committee of tribes Ameer Syed Rasan, Qom Adam Khel's Haji Taj, Sohbat Khan, Malik Din Khel, Haji Mausam Khan and other elders.

Speakers demanded that the government ensure the dignified and safe return of Tirah affectees, immediately provide them financial assistance and practically resolve their other legitimate demands.

Tehreek Mutasireen Tirah spokesman Sohbat Afridi said the movement would adopt the path of peaceful protest in line with the wishes of the affectees and the public.