From the people: Governor stands behind tribesmen

Governor says tribal people are peace loving and would do everything to protect their land against terrorism.

KHAR: People of the tribal areas are peace loving and would do everything to protect their land against terrorism, said Governor Shaukatullah Khan on Thursday while addressing a jirga in Khar, the headquarters of Bajaur Agency. The governor belongs to Nawagai area of the agency and spent the night there after being briefed on development projects in the region. He said they are working on a proposed local governance system for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata). Shaukatullah added former bureaucrat Rustam Shah Mohmand is Fata’s representative in the government’s peace committee formed to negotiate with the Taliban. He said Mohmand is well-versed with tribal customs and traditions and is thus a suitable choice for the peace talks. The governor also inaugurated a zoo in Khar, said to be the only one of its kind in Fata.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 21^st, 2014.