‘To a peaceful Waziristan’: Jirga sets deadline for NWA IDPs’ return

BANNU:

A grand jirga of the Utmanzai clan has given the government June 15 as the deadline to repatriate internally displaced people from North Waziristan Agency.

Elders from Dawar and Wazir clans participated in the jirga called by MNA from NWA Malik Nazir Khan in Bannu Township on Sunday.Addressing the gathering, Nazir said the government was ready to begin repatriating displaced families and tribespeople were asked to suggest the procedure to the government in writing.

Elders, including Malik Shah Nawaz Khan, Malik Mohammad Sher and Ghulam Khan, said they wanted to return to a peaceful Waziristan and were willing to abide by Section 40 of the Frontier Crimes Regulations (maintaining “good behaviour”), but were no longer willing to accept any more delays in going back.

The jirga members were of the view that the return of IDPs should be completed before Ramazan. Around 10,000 should be sent back on a daily basis. The jirga was also not convinced over financial compensation, and its members said they would not accept any money before they go and assess their losses.

It was decided a 30-member committee comprising Dawar and Wazir tribesmen would submit their recommendations to MNA Nazir.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 8^th, 2015.