Jirga: Mohmand tribesmen announce boycott of political administration

Demand release of salaries, incentives to Khasadar personnel and tribal elders.


Mureeb Mohmand February 22, 2013
Khasadar and tribal elders would not resume responsibility for any law and order situation in the region if the salaries were not paid, says Faqir. PHOTO: FILE

SHABQADAR:


Tribesman of Mohmand Agency announced to boycott cooperation with the political administration after it stopped the incentives and salaries of Khasadar personnel, citing their “poor performance” in tribal issues. 


The announcement was made at a jirga at the agency’s Galanai headquarters on Thursday. Members of the Haleemzai, Issa Khel, Burhan Khel, Tarakzai, Khwaizai, Baizai and Saifi agencies were present on the occasion.



The tribal elders condemned the ban, saying the political administration had unjustly cut down incentives of the elders and the salaries of Khasadar personnel over alleged negligence in performing their duties and in maintaining law and order situation in the agency. To oppose the decision of the political administration, the tribal elders decided to boycott their officials in tribal affairs.

Addressing the jirga, a tribal elder and Member of National Assembly, Bilal Rehman Haleemzai, said the political administration should release the salaries of the Khasadar personnel and all incentives of the tribesmen. He added that the Khasadar personnel were performing their duties and cooperating with the government under the Frontier Crimes Regulations (FCR). He further said that if their demands were not fulfilled, they would boycott the administration officials in the agency.



Former senator and tribal elder, Haji Abdur Rehman Faqir stated that the tribesmen guard the borders of the country. He further that the Khasadar and tribal elders would not resume responsibility for any law and order situation in the region if the salaries were not paid, adding that it is just the Khasdars and the tribal elders who make it possible for the government to establish its writ on the Durand Line.

The tribesmen lamented that even though the issue was presented to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Engineer Shaukatullah during his visit to the agency but he has yet to take notice. The jirga announced to continue their boycott till Monday and hold another jirga. Meanwhile, Jamshed, an assistant political agent, said the administration is working to resolve the issue accordance with tribal customs and government policy.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 22nd, 2013.

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