Side-lined: Former MNA demands equal treatment for Sepah tribespeople

Says they should be repatriated, compensated for their losses

PESHAWAR: Former senator and MNA Muhammad Shah Afridi has asked the political agent of Khyber Agency to put an end to his discriminatory behaviour with IDPs of the Sepah tribe.

According to a handout issued on Monday, Shah shared these views at a programme arranged by Afridian Welfare Foundation on the same day in Jamrud for the displaced tribes of the agency.

Addressing the audience, Shah said the Sepah’s internally displaced persons (IDP) should be treated just like the ones from other tribes of Khyber Agency and arrangements should be made for their repatriation. Shah maintained the government should compensate them and restore their houses which were deQuote: The fact that these students have passed with flying colours shows the people of the agency are interested in education and are against war

Former senator and MNA Muhammad Shah Afridioperations in the area.



He also lauded the determination of those who have not let the war deter their goals. Shah appreciated those students who continued with their education and managed to secure high positions in the Secondary School Certificate result of 2015 in the Peshawar board despite the closure of schools in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency. He said, “The fact that these students have passed with flying colours shows the people of the agency are interested in education and are against war.”

Also present on the occasion, Afridian Welfare Foundation head Nabil Afridi extoled the role of his organisation, saying it had earned a place in the list of famous welfare organisations by serving people.

He added the organisation had distributed packages worth millions among the displaced families and will continue to support the people of the agency. “Work will be done to restore businesses that were also affected.”

Nabil Afridi maintained, “Very soon the organisation will announce the completion of Akakhel Memorial Hospital which is under construction in the agency.” It shall provide timely access to health care to the destitute, he added.

At the end of the ceremony, cash prizes and awards were distributed among 18 talented students of the agency.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 14^th, 2015.