By Ashrafuddin Pirzada
LANDIKOTAL: In a grand Jirga of tribal elders, political leaders and civil society members in Bara on Sunday, expressed grave concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in Tirah valley, especially the recent killing of an elderly innocent woman and injuries to two others.
The gathering, held under the banner of Bara Seyasi Ittehad, was attended by a large number of stakeholders, including local government representatives, tribal elders and leaders from various political and social organizations.
Among the key attendees were the president of Bara Seyasi Ittehad, Hashim Khan Afridi, general secretary Malik Attaullah Afridi, Jamaat-e-Islami Khyber Ameer Shah Faisal Afridi, JUI Ameer Bara Maulana Asadullah and Khyber Union representatives Murad Saqi, Mujeeb-ur-Rehman, Malik Muhammad Hussain, Suhbat Khan, Imran Afridi and Malik Alif Khan.
Speakers at the Jirga condemned the rising violence in Tirah valley, particularly attacks targeting women and children, declaring such acts unacceptable and inhumane. They criticized the government’s failure to protect the people of tribal areas despite collecting taxes from them.
“The state is responsible for ensuring the safety of its citizens. If it fails in its constitutional duty, the Afridi tribes reserve the right to take matters into their own hands through traditional means to restore peace,” the speakers warned.
In addition to security concerns, the Jirga highlighted growing public frustration over alleged corruption in development projects in Khyber district. They demanded the immediate transfer of corrupt officials and called for transparency in the use of public funds.
President of Bara Seyasi Ittehad, Hashim Khan Afridi, also raised alarm over the increasing encroachments in Bara Bazaar. He accused certain departments, particularly the Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA), of facilitating illegal structures. He urged the district administration to take swift action to remove the encroachments and restore public convenience.
To strengthen coordination among various tribal factions, the Jirga decided to hold another meeting next Sunday, during which ten representatives from each Afridi tribe would be selected.
In a strong message to the authorities and the broader public, the participants announced plans to hold a press conference at the National Press Club in Islamabad. They also hinted at organizing a large-scale peace rally to convey that the Afridi tribes are peaceful and patriotic and are united against militancy and lawlessness in the region.
