report in Dawn, January 13th, 2023
LAKKI MARWAT: Elders of Marwat and Bittani tribes on Thursday announced that they would help law-enforcement and security agencies maintain peace in the region and won’t allow terrorists to use their soil for carrying out their activities.
The announcement was made in a jirga called by the district administration in line with the government’s policy to engage elders for peace efforts.
A government team comprising deputy commissioner Fazal Akbar, district police officer Ziauddin Ahmed, additional DC Dr Tariqullah, AC Najamullah Dawar and DSP Iqbal Momand participated in the meeting.
Elder Malik Qadir Khan Betanni said the residents won’t allow anyone to disturb peace and use their soil to challenge the government’s writ.
The DC said militancy was a major hurdle to sustainable development, so integrated efforts were required to eradicate it.
He said the people shouldn’t shelter militants and ensure youth don’t fall into wrong hands.
“We [government] are committed to promoting peace and bringing development to the region,” he said.
Elders Betanni, Malik Abdul Rehman, Mufti Irfanullah and Hayatullah Khan promised the support of residents for crackdown on militants and said peace was inevitable for development.https://www.dawn.com/news/1731291/jirga-promises-help-against-militants
