Demanding rights: Orakzai IDPs nominate lawmaker

HANGU: Internally displaced tribesmen of the eight tribes of Orakzai Agency held a meeting on Tuesday to nominate their own candidates for the upcoming polls. Tribal elders said they have been displaced from their areas for the past four years, yet no elected member has taken steps to provide them relief. An elder, Mastan Gul said many political leaders will approach them now to muster support before the elections. He added their elder, Malik Speen Gul, who is also an MNA, was the only leader in the area who has supported them in difficult times. They mutually proposed to pledge support for him on all platforms. Also present on the occasion, Speen Gul appealed to all nominated candidates to take steps for the restoration of peace and provision of assistance to displaced families.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 27^th, 2013.