Mohmand Agency jirga seeks locals say in uplift schemes

GHALLANAI: A grand jirga in Mohmand Agency Wednesday asked the government to force the political administration to spend the development funds in consultation with the local elders.
The jirga, held at the hujra of Malik Muhammad Ali Halimzai in Sangar, expressed reservations over the dictatorial attitude of the political administration towards tribespeople.They said that tribal traders were paying millions of rupees taxes but the administration was not spending the revenue generated from the local business on the development of the area.
“The political administration is using various tactics to stop tribespeople from raising voice for their rights,” Malik Faizullah Khan said.The jirga members said that tribes in Mohmand Agency had supported the security forces and suffered human and material losses during the war against terrorism and deserved rewards for their sacrifices.
The elders asked the governor and other officials to take tribespeople into confidence before taking any decision about their future.They also constituted a 20-member committee for taking up the issue with the political administration and government and conveying the tribespeople reservations to the government.