In case talks fail: Tribal elders urge govt to avoid operation

Residents of NWA say humanitarian cost of any action would be devastating.

PESHAWAR: Tribal elders of North Waziristan asked the federal government to refrain from launching a military operation in the agency during a news conference at the Peshawar Press Club on Monday.

The elders said a military operation would further aggravate the humanitarian situation in the agency as thousands of people would be forced to abandon their homes and flee the area. They also feared civilian causalities in case of military action.

“We want the government to solve all issues through dialogue,” said Jalal Wazirstani, a tribal elder, at the conference. “We are the defenders of this country and will give every possible sacrifice for it,” he added.

Wazirstani said the people of the agency are patriotic Pakistanis and have offered great sacrifices in the past and will do so again in the future, but he asked the government to protect their lives and property in the region.

“No anti-state elements will be allowed to live in the agency,” said the tribal elder, who was flanked by other elders of the area. The elders also criticised the policies of previous governments and said locals were still facing problems as the area has become a warzone.

“We are living a very harsh life in the mountains and should be provided relief instead of military operations,” said Wazirstani.

Tribal elders claimed those people of the agencies who have lost their properties and are living as internally displaced persons around Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and other areas should be provided all possible aid.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 11^th, 2014.