Utmanzai, Ahmadzai elders from North Waziristan plan to convene a Grand Jirga to revive talks with TTP. PHOTO: AFP/ FILE
Elders from the Utmanzai and Ahmadzai tribes of North Waziristan Agency (NWA) have demanded the immediate cessation of US drones attacks and a peaceful solution to the conflict in the tribal areas by negotiating with the Taliban.
At a news conference at the Peshawar Press Club on Saturday, elder Malik Jalal claimed the tribal people were suffering because of the pro-American policies of past governments. He was accompanied by Malik Gulbat Khan, Malik Gul Shalam Khan and Malik Raees Khan among others.
“The US predator strikes are against the sovereignty and integrity of the country and a large number of innocent people, including women and children have been killed,” maintained Jalal.
The armed forces had carried out military operations at the behest of the US, continued the tribal elder. “Tribesmen have been uprooted from their homes because of the turbulent situation.”
“We are not terrorists, but patriotic citizens of this state,” said Malik Gulbat Khan, another North Waziristan elder. According to Gulbat, the tribesmen have been discriminated against despite laying their lives on the line to protect the country’s border.
The declaration of the all-parties conference, which was convened by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl, must be acted on and implemented, insisted Malik Shah Mohammad, a newly-elected lawmaker from Bannu. Shah claimed the declaration was also signed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif.
“If drone attacks stop, I am almost certain peace will automatically be restored in the country – particularly in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Fata,” argued Shah.
Commenting on the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan suspending negotiations after the death of their top commander Waliur Rehman in a drone attack, the MPA claimed elders will conduct a Grand Jirga to reactivate the talks.
Shah promised he would move a resolution in the provincial assembly against the drone strikes.
“Force is not the solution; we must adopt nonviolent means to establish everlasting peace in the region,” postulated an Ahmadzai elder, Malik Shalam Khan. “If the US government can give preference to holding talks with the Taliban, why can’t Pakistan do the same?” Shalam questioned.
The NWA elders urged the incoming PML-N government to work towards ending drone strikes and warned peace efforts would not prove fruitful until the US drone campaign in Fata ends.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 2nd, 2013.
COMMENTS (7)
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who says they are here to kill militants, they are just killing children, women and innocents in drone attacks, where is their favorite two words, Fair trial(in ref to innocents brutally murdered). All of you just imagine a drone above your head.
The tribal elders have a long tradition of providing refuge to murderers and such for money. Stop harbouring terrorists and there will not be any need for drones.
Elders please advice the youngers to leave the area as soon as possible becouse now the situation is entirely diffirent . International community wants to end this war well before the end of 2014 with a clear victory over the terrorists having shelter in no man's land brtween Afghanistan and Pakistan . About 5000 NATO soldiers have lost their valuable life so far not for compomise but for their complete elemination . Iethere lay down arms or be ready to die and go to heaven that you are aspiring for .
Are the Americans in Iraq? Are they using drones there? Stop sending killers and there won't be drones to insure the terrorist leaders don't sit among you with murderous impunity. Want to give peace a chance? Too many players that make a living from violence big and small.
We need to become sovereign now, Pakistan should revoke his permission for drones over our land.
“Force is not the solution; we must adopt nonviolent means to establish everlasting peace in the region,”
Who can argue with that? All political and religious parties along with establishment are on the same page in this regard. The tribal elders just need to convince Taliban that they would be free to propagate any stone age version of Islam they like as long as they accept the writ of Govt.and stop beheading people and blasting schools, mosques, posts, funerals, markets, shrines etc. But will they? Therein lies the rub.
Dear Elders stop providing your kids to terrorist for suicide attacks. tell them that Afghanistan is a sovereign country and they have no right of going there and blowing themselves up. show them the way of humanity and Islam tell them that the pakistani army is cashing them in for US dollars. each of your sons make the army richer day by day they make millions of your kids.