Governor reopens Bara Bazaar

Marketplace was closed down due to militancy in 2009

BARA: Governor Sardar Mahtab Ahmad Khan on Monday reopened the Bara Bazaar which was closed about eight years ago due to attacks by the militants.

The marketplace, containing at least 11,000 shops, had closed down in 2009 when the banned militant group, Laskhar-i-Islam (LI) led by Mangal Bagh established its writ in various areas of the Bara tehsil.

The opening ceremony was held in the main Bara Bazaar in presence of a large number of local elders belonging to Bara, Landikotal and Jamrud tehsils of Khyber Agency.

Members National Assembly (MNAs) Nasir Khan Afridi and Shahjee Gul Afridi, Senator Momin Khan Afridi, former federal minister Noorul Haq Qadri, Additional Chief Secretary Fata Aslam Kamboh, Khyber Agency’s Political Agent Shahab Ali Shah and other civil and military officials also attended the ceremony.

Speaking on the occasion, the Governor said it was a historic time for him to hand over the area’s control to the civil administration. He added that all the anti-state elements had been flushed out and writ of the government established in Bara.

“On the behalf of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the government, I congratulate the residents of Bara on such a historic day,” Sardar Mahtab said.He said gone were the days when the militants posed threats to the public and attacked civil and military installations.

The governor said the incumbent government was committed to reducing poverty and raising the living standard of the people. He said the road access would be given to the Bara Bazaar from Torkham border, adding that the construction of the Matani to Takhtbaig Bypass was under way, with a total cost of Rs. 1.1 billion.

Sardar Mahtab said reopening of Bara Bazaar along modern lines in the Khyber Agency would ultimately promote and foster economic activities in tribal region. This Bazaar would be built at a cost of Rs. 1 billion and its 1st Phase will cost Rs 380 million.

The governor announced an industrial state would be established in the Bara tehsil spread over 1600 Kanals of land which would pave the way for the development of the region. He asked MNAs Shahjee Gul Afridi and Nasir Khan Afridi to set up their own industrial units so that they could contribute their share in promoting business activities in militancy-hit area of Khyber Agency.

The Governor said construction work on the Takhta Baig-Matani road had been started at a cost Rs10.1 billion. He said the road would play a vital role linking Central Asian counties with Pakistan via Afghanistan.

He announced establishment of a bus terminal, rescue service, municipal committee, fire brigade, family park, a slaughterhouse, and transportation system in Bara.He hoped people would come to Bara from all over the country to buy various commodities.

The Governor said the government would soon introduce local government system in Fata so that powers could be devolved at the grassroots level.Praising the tribal people’s sacrifices, he said the sacrifices rendered for the sake of Pakistan would not go to waste.

The Governor said repatriation of the remaining displaced families of Sepah tribe to their homes in Bara would start from January 12.He said the situation in Khyber Agency had bearing on situation in rest of Pakistan.

Sardar Mahtab urged the tribesmen to support the security forces and government for restoring durable peace in the area.Regarding the military actions in Tirah valley, the Governor said most of the Tirah areas had been purged of militants and soon work would start on an international standard road to connect Tirah with the rest of the country.

He directed the Khyber Agency administration to help the locals revive industrial units in Bara.Sardar Mahtab said several mega projects worth Rs100 million had been launched in various parts of Khyber Agency.