Restoring peace: Jirga pores over military offensive

Maulana Fazlur Rehman spoke on the futility of the war in the region.

PESHAWAR:

Political parties should convene a grand tribal jirga to discourage more military operations, which will only inflict more losses to the poor people in the tribal belt, said Malik Nasrullah Khan on Friday.

Malik Nasrullah Khan is the successor of the former pro-government chief of the Wazir tribe, Malik Qadir Khan, who was killed a few weeks ago in Miranshah, North Waziristan. Nasrullah was speaking at a condolence reference for Malik Qadir at Nishtar Hall.

Also present at the event was Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who spoke on the futility of the war in the region, which he felt was a direct result of US meddling. “They have vested economic and political interests,” he said.

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Sirajul Haq also addressed participants and criticised the federal government for not meeting the expectations of the people.

For economic reforms, the government needs to understand that peace is the only solution, he said.

“The people are taxpayers and the government needs to formulate legislation to protect their lives and property, which rulers have failed to do so till now,” the JI chief added.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 31^st, 2014.