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Tribal elders stress need for dialogue to address FATA unrest

* Bajaur elder says people want govt’s writ established in region
* Mohmand elder says ‘Taliban not bad people’

By Daud Khattak

PESHAWAR: Elders from the seven tribal agencies believe the only option to bring order to the unruly region is dialogue “with full sincerity” while use of force would further complicate the imbroglio.

Terming the government and the Taliban equally responsible for the existing unrest in the tribal belt, the elders were unanimous in their views that the old traditional system must be given a chance to bring order to the region.

Their comments were obtained on the occasion of a jirga convened at the Governor’s House on Monday to discuss the turmoil in most parts of the rugged land.

Mohabbat Khel, one of the elders from Bajaur Agency, told Daily Times that the old system of jirga had been destroyed by the tussle between the security forces and the Taliban in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

Writ of govt: Without criticising the Taliban, mainly for security reasons, Khel said the people wanted writ of the government established in the region. “We don’t know who is creating the disturbance ... perhaps you know it better,” he added.

Malak Mohammad Afzal from the Hamzonikhel sub-tribe of North Waziristan Agency said the situation in the area was tense. However, he said, some improvement had been visible since the present government had come into power.

He claimed 99 percent of the tribesmen were supporting Baitullah Mehsud and Maulvi Nazeer because they considered them loyal citizens of Pakistan.

“There must be talks in the light of tribal customs and traditions and the government should stop taking dictation from abroad,” said Afzal, while giving his suggestions on how to bring peace to FATA.

“One can’t impose a decision with the use of force even in one’s own family and house,” he added

Khan Zeb, an elder from the Dawar tribe of Waziristan, said the security situation in South Waziristan was satisfactory, while there was still trouble in North Waziristan. He suggested that dialogue was the solution. However, he remained tight-lipped when asked about the killing and beheading of elders and common citizens.

Not bad people: An invitee from Mohmand Agency, who agreed to talk to Daily Times anonymously, said a large number of criminals had sneaked into the ranks of the Taliban. “The real Taliban are not bad people. The criminals are responsible for the trouble,” said the elder.

Elders from all the seven tribal agencies had been extended invitations for the jirga. However, elders from only North Waziristan, Khyber, Mohmand and Bajaur agencies were prominent, while representation from South Waziristan, Kurram and Orakzai agencies was thin.

Interestingly, the turbaned men, who are known for their straightforward comments, tended to become diplomatic when questioned about the Taliban and Baitullah Mehsud.

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