KHYBER: Amid the delicate security situation in Tirah valley here, Peshawar commissioner Riaz Mehsud met with the tribal elders, parliamentarians and other stakeholders from the tribal district the other day to discuss corrective measures.

In a statement, the Khyber House, which hosted the meeting, claimed that the participants discussed the law and order situation in Tirah, with the commissioner seeking the complete support of elders for peace.

He said restoring peace was the prime responsibility of the government, and emphasised the revival of the role of tribal elders and strengthening the jirga system.

The meeting was called due to a spike in terrorist attacks against security forces in Tirah. Militants reportedly patrolcertain parts of the valley despite several military operations against their hideouts.

Emphasises strengthening of jirga system

Participants said the revival of the jirga system was an uphill task in the current circumstances as tribesmen, by and large, no more trusted the promises and assurances of authorities.

Some elders told Dawn that the commissioner insisted that all their grievances about their fading role after the Fata-KP merger was conveyed to, but they had little faith in the claim.

A leading tribal elder questioned the sincerity of the government about ‘empowerment’ of elders saying the district administration has withdrawn almost all its support from them, leaving them at the mercy of militant groups, with an inefficient police system in place.

“Tribal elders no longer have their traditional control and authority over tribes, while the jirga systemhas also lost its utility after the extension of the judicial system to tribal districts, so the government should not expect any useful support from us in these circumstances,” he argued.

The elder opined that there was a serious deficit of trust between the government and ordinary tribesmen as terrorism had once again reared its ugly head despite repeated claims about successful military operations and fencing of the Afghan border.

Another participant said only a fully empowered tribal jirga could secure positive results if the government allowed them to first approach the Afghan Taliban government to ensure a friendly atmosphere and then hold meaningful dialogue with the banned militant outfit Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.

He said that the commissioner was clearly told that no official initiative would succeed for restoring peace in Tirah or other parts of the tribal districts without the support of the traditional tribal elders with a more empowered role of the jirga.

“It looks that the government has of late realised its failures while tackling the menace of terrorism and have thus approached the tribal elders for their assistance and strengtheningthe time tested jirga system,” he said.

The elder argued that nothing concrete was decided during the meeting as most tribal elders expressed a lack of trust in the promises of officials.

The participants told the commissioner that elders from all seven tribal districts should be taken on board for the formation of a large jirga and approach outlawed groups for a meaningful dialogue.

The commissioner asked participants to name people for further meetings with the Peshawar corpscommander, Frontier Corps inspector general and other authorities for a detailed discussion on measures for peace.

The Bara Siyasi Ittehad and MNA Iqbal Afridi, along with traders from Tirah, later announced the postponement of Friday’s demonstration in Bara.

Published in Dawn, November 23rd, 2024