SAFRON minister debunks impression that ‘lungies’ refusal was due to support for Taliban. PHOTO: AFP
Some elders are unwilling to accept lungies, or traditional souvenirs, from the government due to threats from militants since the launch of the ongoing military operations in the tribal regions, says Abdul Qadir Baloch, the minister for States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON).
Replying to a question in the Senate on Friday, Baloch said the federal government has conferred some 8,000 ‘lungies’ on tribal elders over the past five years in recognition of their services for maintaining peace in their respective tribal agencies.
“As a symbol of honour, we are conferring these ‘lungies’ in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) for the services and sacrifices rendered by the tribal people,” he added.
“This is a wrong impression that many elders and Maliks in Fata are refusing to accept these ‘lungies’ because they are either supporting the Taliban or militants,” the minister said. He claimed that these elders were not coming forward for fear of a Taliban backlash.
However, the traditional souvenirs have come at a price for its recipients as according to Fata Senator Saleh Shah, about 1,400 such ‘mashran’ (elders) have been gunned down by the Taliban. “The government must recognise their sacrifices as well,” he said.
Baloch said the government has all respect for those who rendered sacrifices for the country. He added that the recipients of ‘lungies’ were selected on the recommendations of the political agents, or top administrators in tribal agencies.
Senator Hidayat Ullah objected that the government has increased the price of ‘lungies’ and tribal elders were reluctant to purchase these souvenirs. But Baloch argued that the government has increased the price from Rs25 to Rs50 in 2014 which is a nominal increase.
The government had granted 750 lungies between 2009 and 2010; 3,200 in 2012, 375 in 2013 and 2,100 in 2014. These lungies had been distributed in 13 regions, including Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Kurram, Orakzai, North and South Waziristan agencies and Frontier Regions Peshawar, Kohat, Bannu, Tank, Lakki and DI Khan.
Baloch further said due to militancy this process was halted for a brief time but the government was going to resume soon.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 2rd, 2015.
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After having thrown herds of Tribals to the wolves i.e. Taliban in Sawat and NW, no one trusts our establishment any more. These elders wouldn't be a victim of another establishment's inside job. The army is running out of friends. Double games coming home to roost.
@Gp65: You cannot say anything against the army in this country. Even the media practices self-censorship in this regard.
"Some elders are unwilling to accept lungies, or traditional souvenirs, from the government due to threats from militants since the launch of the ongoing military operations in the tribal regions, says Abdul Qadir Baloch, the minister for States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON)."
This is the status after Zarb-e-Azb has gone on for 7,5 months. Yet Raheel Sharif says that back of terrorists has been broken. Yet no one questions his competence. In fact so over confident is he, that he even makes statements about improving hockey as though security situation is totally under control.