Repatriation of displaced persons agreed

WANA: A jirga of elders of the Mehsud and Burki tribes and military officials on Sunday agreed to allow the repatriation of temporarily displaced persons (TDPs) and put a halt to the ongoing illegal deforestation in the Upper South Waziristan tribal district.

The decisions were taken at a jirga held between prominent tribal elders, including Malik Rapa Khan Mahsud, former senator Maulana Muhammad Saleh Shah, Malik Saeed Anwar Mahsud, Member Provincial Assembly Asif Mahsud, Malik Saifur Rahman Mahsud, Maulana Ehsamuddin, Malik Irfanuddin Burki, and dozens of other tribal and political leaders and Inspector General Frontier Corps (IGFC) South, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Major General Mehr Umar Niazi at Sararogha Army Brigade in Upper South Waziristan.

Brigadier Umair Niazi of Sararogha Army Brigade was also present on the occasion.

The elders briefed IGFC on peace-related issues in Upper South Waziristan and presented five demands. These included the return of displaced persons from the areas of Doshka, Abakhel, and Zarifkhel in Makeen, the withdrawal of cases filed against four elders, end to deforestation, safeguarding the population during operations and addressing other local issues.

After threadbare discussion, IGFC announced the immediate return of displaced persons and directed the jirga members to coordinate with Brigadier Umair Niazi to finalise the timeline for their return, ensuring it within a couple of days.

He also said that no one would be allowed to cut forests and stressed the need for a special monitoring system against the timber mafias.

He also assured the withdrawal of cases and guaranteed that no case would be filed against any jirga member.

IGFC announced the transfer of the newly-constructed FC Forte in Ladha to the district administration, police, education, and other departments for two years rent-free. He encouraged these departments to begin operations from the facility.

The tribal elders thanked the IGFC for accepting their demands and taking prompt action for their redressal.