KHYBER: Participants of a meeting involving security officials and representatives of various organisations from Tirah valley in Khyber tribal district on Tuesday vowed to jointly work to restore peace and address issues in the region.

The meeting was held at the Army Camp in Malakdinkhel area.

Representatives of the local teacher associations, paramedics, youth and Tirah Siyasi Ittehad met with security officials stationed in the valley, informed them about the residents’ problems, and demanded their speedy yet effective resolution.

They highlighted their difficulties due to the targeted military operations, especially their adverse impact on business.

The visitors also complained that the people, including students, suffered injuries due to helicopter shelling during military operations against militants, while the law and order situation in the valley was deteriorating.

They said that those air and ground offensives against militant hideouts should be carried out very carefully to minimise damage to people’s lives and property.

The visitors also complained about the suspension of mobile internet service in the valley, a lack of health facilities, the relocation of the local Rescue 1122 centre, and a shortage of teachers in the local government schools and demanded necessary action.

The security officials lauded the sacrifices of Tirah residents in the fight against terrorism and promised early elimination of terrorism from the valley.

They said that development schemes would be executed in the region with a focus on the improvement of healthcare and educational facilities and effective resolution of the traders’ issues.

The security officials said that nobody would be allowed to disturb peace in the valley, and collective efforts would be made for restoring law and order.

They announced that a jirga would soon be called on the people’s issues, with heads of most government departments in attendance.

Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2024