Jirga to discuss penal steps in Wazirstan today

By Iqbal Khattak

PESHAWAR: A grand jirga of Ahmedzai Wazir tribes will discuss today the penal measures by the administration in South Waziristan Agency after the government’s demand for the registration of foreigners in the tribal areas went unheeded.

The decision to call the grand jirga was made at a gathering of tribal elders in Karikot near Wana, tribal elders told Daily Times by phone. “We will discuss the situation and a decision will be made,” Mailk Behram Khan of the Toghikhel sub-tribe said. But a senior government official said the government wanted “to get hold of foreigners” at the least.

FATA security chief Brig (r) Mehmood Shah told Daily Times that the least today’s jirga must do to meet the government’s demand was ensure foreigners’ registration. “Nothing less will be accepted.” Nek Muhammad was also invited to Wednesday’s jirga.

Meanwhile, army helicopters and PAF jets flew over Shakai on Tuesday where the government suspects foreign terrorists are hiding, a tribal source claimed.

Online adds: South Waziristan Agency Political Agent Asmatullah Gandapur has said that a tribal lashkar would be formed on Thursday to launch an operation against foreigners hiding in Azam Warsak. Mr Gandapur said that a jirga on Tuesday decided to form three lashkars to hunt foreigners and other wanted men hiding in South Waziristan. He said that the economic blockade of Ahmedzai Wazir tribes would continue until they accepted the government’s demands.

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