BARA: Thousands gathered here on Friday to demand the restoration of peace and opposed the displacement of people from Tirah valley in the name of operation.
The Bara Seyasi Ittehad had organised the grand peace jirga against the possible operation and forced displacement of local people.The people of Khyber and other areas arrived in processions at the main site of the rally.
The marchers were carrying placards and banners inscribed with slogans demanding the restoration of peace. Member National Assembly (MNA) Iqbal Afridi, Provincial Minister for Communication and Works Sohail Afridi, MPA Abdul Ghani Afridi, former federal minister Hameedullah Jan, Maulana Shamsuddin of JUIF, Maulana Hazrat Khan, Tehsil chairman Mufti Kafeel, Jamaat-i- Islami Khyber head Shah Faisal Afridi, Khan Wali Afridi, elders, scholars,
social figures and a large number of people participated in the rally.
The speakers said that they had rejected possible operations and forced displacement from Tirah valley.“It is the responsibility of the state to maintain peace and provide facilities to the people,” the speakers added.
They said that many operations were carried out in the past which left the tribal people economically and socially devastated. They said that the displaced deprived the tribesmen of their livelihood and they still had bitter experiences etched in their minds.
“We, the tribal people, are not satisfied as compensation cheques were yet to be distributed among them,” said former federal minister Hameedullah Jan. He said the tribal people were not ready to leave their homes and face displacement again. “We will not let anyone steal our minerals and would stand united to foil such attempts to sabotage peace,” he added.
Hameedullah Jan said that the huge participation of people in the march proved that the tribesmen were aware of their rights and would leave no stone unturned to get their due rights.
The speakers maintained decades long militancy had destroyed infrastructure, therefore, the time had come to launch a struggle for the restoration of peace.Shah Faisal Afridi said that the tribal people were peaceful people and they should be provided education and health facilities.
He said that if our demands were not heeded, the protest would be extended to Peshawar and Islamabad.Bara Seyasi Ittehad President Hashim Khan Afridi demanded the release of Malik Naseer Afridi, Ali Wazir and Samad Khan.
Through a resolution, the jirga rejected the imposition of taxes in the ex-Fata. “We are neither terrorists nor will we pick up guns, because we ourselves are victims of terrorism,” Hashim Afridi said, adding they wanted to live in peace and dignity.