Unwavering resolve: Jirga unanimously passes resolution against terrorism

Nepki Khel peace militia says it will not hesitate in sacrificing for the cause.

SWAT: A jirga by the Nepki Khel peace militia unanimously vowed to fight terrorism till the end.

The jirga in Bara Bandai on Sunday was attended by a large number of volunteers from eight union councils of Kabal tehsil.

Addressing the meeting, Idrees Khan, who was elected as the militia president on Sunday, said that no anti-state elements would be allowed to sabotage the hard-earned peace in their land. “Our unconditional support for the security forces will continue till the valley gets rid of the last terrorist. We will not hesitate in sacrificing for the cause.”

He thanked jirga members for electing him as their leader and said he will try his best to meet their expectations. He added that in order for peace to persist, the entire community needs to stand united.

Elders promised him for their support and advised him to keep a vigilant eye on any suspicious activities in the area. We should all extend full cooperation with the security forces,
elders said.



Jirga members lauded the commitment and efforts of the locals and security forces and said that their resolve should not break.

“Peace today has been made possible only because of our devotion to fight militancy. To tackle terrorism, both security forces and the public are indispensible,” said Feroz Shah, another elder of
the jirga.

Since the restoration of peace in Swat in 2009, peace militias have been formed in the area and jirgas have been held to help security forces prevent anti-state forces from trying to re-enter the area.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 7^th, 2013.