A North Waziristan jirga on Thursday expressed intentions to oppose any military operation in the region.
Speaking at the jirga, held in the Razmak sub-division, Malik Kamran Khan, a National Assembly member (MNA) from North Waziristan, said the military operation was not in Pakistan’s interest and that both the army and local tribes would suffer human and material losses as a result of it.
Addressing tribal elders, he vowed to raise his voice against the operation in parliament and other forums, adding that he would take local tribes along in any protest. Khan claimed US and Nato had failed in bringing peace to Afghanistan and were now pinning their failure on Pakistan by pressurising it to start an offensive in North Waziristan.
He added that if there was a problem in the region, its solution would be found through dialogue rather than conflict.
He urged the government to instead spread development in North Waziristan and address the deprivation local tribes have felt since Pakistan’s inception.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 24th, 2012.
COMMENTS (15)
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military ops is the solution to the rising cancer of TTP.TTP are not pakistanis nor are Haqqanis. They should be eliminated sooner than later. Such voices were also raised before conduct of SWA ops. I guess the decision taken was right as all the terrorists either escpaed to Afghanistan or NWA.
How many tribesmen were present with there will and how many were present due to threat ?
Military operation is not the solution of every problem....our forces should direct their resources and energies against the US and Nato forces to kick they out of Afghanistan soil instead of fighting with Taliban who are not against Pakistan's solidarity rather US administration has plan to pitch battle between the Taliban and Pakistan army to further mar the situation in the region.....this is the time to attack US and Nato forces......
what was gain by the operation in south waziristan? what is gaining by operation in khyber and orakzai? nothing. ordinary people are dying as they were dying before. but this time huge number of people are forced to live as idps. and no one in pakistan care about those idps. so how can anyone support operation. if pak govt and army wants operation in nw, then they should first normalize and secure sw, khyber and orakzai. and have to give full supports to idp.
No pakistani wants an operation bcoz of the consequences
Well then Local Jirga and all opposing this operation ask the local and foreign terrorists to stop using our soil and find a new home?
"A North Waziristan jirga on Thursday expressed intentions to oppose any military operation in the region"
Did they opposed the presence of militants in their area carrying out attacks in mainland Pakistan and did they undertook to physically throw them out? If not they have no right to protest. After all Taliban are mostly from amongst them and do not have any superior physical or mental attributes except single minded determination which can be matched with single minded resolve to get rid of them. An ambivalent attitude would no longer do.
If the Jirga had shown real spirit, it should not have been difficult to deal with a 5% minority holding the entire area hostage. They can protest in National Assembly thru their MNA's but the USA Congress wont listen to them if it decides to send boots on ground. And the USA army would care much less about collateral damage. So the gentlemen, the choice is entirely yours. Enough is enough.
Speaking at the jirga, held in the Razmak sub-division, Malik Kamran Khan, a National Assembly member (MNA) from North Waziristan, said the military operation was not in my interest and that both the army and local tribes would suffer human and material losses as a result of it.
/FTFY
If rule of law has to prevail in this Country, then we have to put an end to this "Jirga System" clearly a sign of Dark ages! Afterall, what do these illetrate so called elders of the area know? they still think the latest news of the world is, perhaps that General Zia's plane has crashed!. So The Nation is well behind Pak Army and we support strongest action all troubled areas to wipe out these terrorists and those who support dialohue with such elements have already heard a "Welcome" call from these terrorists NOT to come to Waziristan!
Mr. MNA i am glad any one from that area showed up. Conflict was there before too. Its serious Mr Malik Riaz people from your area has killed i would say thousands of fellow brothers just to take the revenge from goverment. When are you thinking to take action against these butchers of human beings. Pakistani people has passed the limits of forgiveness and patience. Pls wake up now and handle them according to the law of land and punish them. Otherwise do what it takes so that no innocent could die by the hands of these butcher.
If you don't want an operation against you, then kick these monsters out of North Wazirastan
Who cares Jirga......These guys are hosting militants who are using these tactics to gain time and attack poor pakistanis....
We are no more in 1000 years old jirga systems...
Let these cultures to modify with new democratic institutions......where is say of women.....if u hear there voice, they will welcome military personals to establish a garrison and get rid of restrictions....
So, TTP is fighting for developments in N. Waziristan and if PAK concentrates on development all will be well?