By Ashrafuddin Pirzada
PESHAWAR: A grand Khyber Jirga was organized by the Frontier Corps Khyber Pakhtunkhwa North at the Bala Hisar Fort, where security and development projects were discussed between the army and civil department officials, sources said on Thursday.
A total of 114 tribal elders and nationwide leaders from various tribes of the tribal district of Khyber participated.
The Inspector General of FC North, Rao Imran Sartaj, the Chief Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Shahab Ali Shah, the commissioner of Peshawar, Riaz Mehsud, along with other senior civil and military officials, were also present at the Jirga.
On this occasion, the tribal elders held detailed discussions on various issues facing the Khyber district, particularly the Tirah Valley.
In his address, the chief secretary Shahab Ali Shah said that all issues would be resolved through continuous consultation with the tribes. He informed the participants that steps were being taken to enhance the capacity of the police, CTD (Counter Terrorism Department) and special branch in the Tirah Valley. He said development projects in the area would also be launched soon. He added that the projects include the construction of roads, agricultural development, water supply, solarization and increasing the capacity of the tehsil administration.
Chief Secretary further stated that compensation has been paid to 13,500 displaced persons (TDPs), while the payment process for the remaining affected individuals was ongoing.
The tribal elders, while speaking on the occasion, emphasized that the establishment of peace and stability was essential for the development of Khyber, especially the Tirah Valley.
While reiterating their commitment to full cooperation with the government and security forces, they demanded that the promises made to the tribes be fulfilled soon.
In his concluding remarks, Rao Imran Sartaj said that no one would be allowed to disturb the peace of Khyber, particularly the Tirah Valley.
At the end of the Jirga, the participants expressed gratitude to the IG FC KP North and the chief secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the successful organization of the event.
