Jirga denounces official negligence; demands peace, the return of Tirah; allies warn against politicization of victims
PESHAWAR:
The Bara Political Alliance announced a sit-in protest in Peshawar on May 7, demanding resolution of the problems faced by the displaced people of Tirah Valley, ensuring their return with dignity and protesting against the rising unrest in Bara Akakhel.
The decision was announced in a statement issued after a joint jirga of the Afridi tribes, organized by the Bara Political Alliance. The jirga was attended by alliance president Hasham Khan Afridi, leaders of various political parties from Bara and Tirah, social activists, leaders of social organizations and trade unions, as well as local elders and notables.
Speaking on the occasion, Amir of Khyber, Jamaat-e-Islami leader Shah Faisal Afridi said that the Bara Political Alliance had been pleading with the government for peace for the last four years. “We have organized dozens of peace protests and marches, but unfortunately, peace could not be established in our region due to the negligence and carelessness of the federal and provincial governments,” he added.
Shah Faisal Afridi has accused the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chief minister of misleading the public by saying that decisions taken behind closed doors were unacceptable. “The reality is that he himself participates in these decisions behind closed doors,” Afridi accused.
Meanwhile, young leader Khan Wali Afridi told the jirga participants that the time has come for them to unite. “The issue of peace is our common problem. Our children and women are victims of mortar shells every day,” he said.
Khan Wali Afridi added that the Constitution and laws of the country allow them to claim their rights. “We demand peace through peaceful protests. Living in a peaceful environment is the right of every citizen, and we will speak out on May 7 for this right,” he said.
Furthermore, the Tahrik-e-Mutasireen Tirah announced its support for the May 7 protest demonstration in Peshawar. The movement’s spokesperson, Sohbat Khan Afridi, told The Express PK Press Club: “We, the victims of Tirah, support the protest demonstration taking place in Peshawar on May 7 under the auspices of the Bara Political Alliance.”
However, he added a caveat: “If at any point we feel that the Bara Political Alliance is simply playing politics against us and compromising on the issues of Tirah victims and their return with dignity, we will immediately withdraw from this sit-in protest and announce a boycott.” But if they only speak for the dignified return of the victims of Tirah and the restoration of peace, we will be at their side.
It may be recalled that a tribal Loya Jirga (grand council) was convened at the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar under the chairmanship of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. The jirga brought together elected parliamentarians from tribal districts, as well as local elders, notables and young people.
Releasing the decisions of the jirga, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said the Loya Jirga strongly condemned the killing of women, children and elderly people in drone strikes. All participants demanded negotiations with stakeholders.
