In search of stability: Tribal elders given 15 days to restore peace in NWA

Jirga meets Peshawar Corps Commander, requests avoiding a military operation .

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. It also intended to convince 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 a 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 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, after which 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.

Meeting the governor

Haji Sher also led a 42-member jirga which met Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Sardar Mehtab Khan Abbasi to discuss the issues faced by the agency.

The governor urged the delegation to make good on their promise of restoring peace in North Waziristan within 15 days. “Peace is essential for an area to progress which is why we wish to bring harmony to the tribal belt,” said Abbasi.

“Across the world, times are changing, people are progressing and moving towards development. Thus, the tribesmen need to embark on the path of peace and development in order to survive,” the governor added.

Stating that external forces cannot implement peace in the country and it has to be done by the people on their own, Abbasi said it was the responsibility of tribal elders to  chalk out a path for restoration of peace.

“It is time to eliminate militancy from our region and unite against those responsible for shedding the blood of thousands of innocent people,” said Abbasi.

“The government will make all efforts to provide assistance to the tribal areas, but without the help of the residents, achieving peace is not possible,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 7^th, 2014.