Support to govt: No shelter to militants, vows Bajaur jirga

The jirga reiterates that the tribe would never support militants or provide shelter to them.

KHAR:

The Mamond tribe of Bajaur agency has announced its support for the political administration at a jirga held at the agency’s headquarters Khar, where a large number of tribal elders were present.

The jirga reiterated that the tribe would never support militants or provide shelter to them. Any tribesmen found doing so would be punished according to the tribe’s tradition and his home and property burned, the elders said.

Political agent in Bajaur agency Syed Abdul Jabar Shah and the assistant political agent in Khar attended the jirga as well. “Militants are the enemy of development, culture and prosperity,” Jabar said. “They want to impose their own agenda, which is against tribal tradition.”

He appealed to the tribe to support the government’s efforts to bring peace to the agency. He said those found in violation of the jirga’s decision would be treated in accordance with the FCR’s clause of collective responsibility.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 24^th, 2014.