In search of stability: Tribal elders given 15 days to restore peace in North Waziristan
Jirga meets Peshawar Corps Commander, requests avoiding a military operation.
The agency’s tribesmen will try to force the foreign militants out, secure government installations and put an end to attacks carried out on security forces’ convoys. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
PESHAWAR:
A heated debate between a 65-member tribal jirga and Peshawar Corps Commander on Friday reached the conclusion that tribal elders will play their role in restoring peace in North Waziristan within 15 days.
The jirga comprising 65 elders of Uthmanzai Wazir and Dawar tribes from North Waziristan, led by Haji Sher Muhammad, the successor of the Faqir of Ipi, met with Corps Commander Lieutenant General Khalid Rabbani on Friday to discuss military action in North Waziristan Agency and to convince the military authorities to normalise the situation in the agency and avoid an operation.
Speaking on behalf of the tribesmen, Haji Sher told the gathering that military operation has never been a solution to the problems the agency was facing. “The tribal elders should now be given the opportunity to restore peace,” he added.
Haji Sher claimed the jirga he was leading has clout and the agency’s tribesmen will try to force the foreign militants out, secure government installations and put an end to attacks carried out on security forces’ convoys.
“If we fail to do so, the government can go forward and launch a military operation in North Waziristan,” the elder added.
Corps Commander Rabbani said the elders had 15 days to normalise the situation and that after the passage of this time, the elders would report their progress to the general officer commanding (GOC) of North Waziristan, who will then decide the future course of action accordingly.
“The tribesmen in Fata have always been loyal to the soil of the country and even now they will play their role in the restoration of peace and elimination of militancy,” said Rabbani.
A heated debate between a 65-member tribal jirga and Peshawar Corps Commander on Friday reached the conclusion that tribal elders will play their role in restoring peace in North Waziristan within 15 days.
The jirga comprising 65 elders of Uthmanzai Wazir and Dawar tribes from North Waziristan, led by Haji Sher Muhammad, the successor of the Faqir of Ipi, met with Corps Commander Lieutenant General Khalid Rabbani on Friday to discuss military action in North Waziristan Agency and to convince the military authorities to normalise the situation in the agency and avoid an operation.
Speaking on behalf of the tribesmen, Haji Sher told the gathering that military operation has never been a solution to the problems the agency was facing. “The tribal elders should now be given the opportunity to restore peace,” he added.
Haji Sher claimed the jirga he was leading has clout and the agency’s tribesmen will try to force the foreign militants out, secure government installations and put an end to attacks carried out on security forces’ convoys.
“If we fail to do so, the government can go forward and launch a military operation in North Waziristan,” the elder added.
Corps Commander Rabbani said the elders had 15 days to normalise the situation and that after the passage of this time, the elders would report their progress to the general officer commanding (GOC) of North Waziristan, who will then decide the future course of action accordingly.
“The tribesmen in Fata have always been loyal to the soil of the country and even now they will play their role in the restoration of peace and elimination of militancy,” said Rabbani.