RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: The grand tribal jirga on Saturday demanded of the government to create more job opportunities for unemployed youths of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) by setting up industrial estates there.

The jirga also urged the government to finalize arrangements for early return of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of North Waziristan Agency.

A number of political leaders, including Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PMAP) leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali, Pakistan People’s Party-Sherpao leader Aftab Sherpao and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Haider Abbas Rizvi addressed the jirga.

The leaders of the grand tribal jirga unanimously called for giving the tribal people their rights and taking them onboard in decisions concerning their future.

In a joint declaration, it also proposed that IDPs should be allowed to return to the areas already cleared by Army. The Jirga called for creation of more job opportunities in Fata and establishment of industrial estates and educational institutions in the region. It said problems being faced by the IDPs should be highlighted through media. The declaration also proposed a comprehensive package for families of martyrs and those injured.

Addressing the jirga, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said the tribal jirga should be given the role for bringing peace in the country as well as tribal areas. Maulana Fazl in his address linked the military action in tribal areas to a situation where a disease spreads more when attempts were made to cure it. “In this country oil is sprayed, instead of water to extinguish the fire,” he regretted.

The ANP chief Asfandyar Wali said that tribal people should be taken onboard for bringing peace in the tribal areas. He said the displaced families should be allowed to go back to the areas cleared of militants.

He said as soon as the issue of IDPs cropped up, a game of throne started at Islamabad’s D-Chowk. “Pakhtuns are paying the price for the ongoing power battle,” he said, adding that attention of all quarters was diverted towards the container, while the IDPs were being woefully ignored.

PMAP chief Mehmoud Khan Achakzai said that eradication of terrorism was imperative for peace in the country.

Calling for giving all the federating units their rights to ensure integrity and stability of Pakistan, he said people from Bajaur to South Waziristan should be given their right to vote. PPP-Sherpao chief Aftab Sherpao proposed that we should devote all energies for the relief and rehabilitation of displaced families of North Waziristan.

Haider Abbas Rizvi of MQM said no one can feel the pain and plight of IDPs better than the migrants, as their realities have great similarities.