PESHAWAR: The historic agreement between the Government and tribesmen of North Waziristan Agency was signed Tuesday, at a simple but impressive ceremony held at Miranshah, the headquarters of North Waziristan Agency.
According to DG Media Civil Secretariat FATA Shahzaman Khan, the two parties have expressed their firm resolve to abide by all the conditions laid down in the agreement for establishment of an enduring peace in the tribal areas, particularly in North Waziristan Agency.
This agreement has been the out come of the efforts of the forty-five members grand tribal jirga that was launched on July 20 last. However the prime role in reaching this agreement has been played by the NWFP Governor Lt. Gen (R) Ali Muhammad Jan Aurakzai, who started efforts for peace immediately after taking over office of the Governor on May 24 this year. It was the result of his untiring and sincere efforts that the local religious elders announced a unilateral ceasefire on June 25 that paved way for peace negotiations in North Waziristan.
According to this historic agreement the Utmanzai tribe of North Waziristan Agency have committed that Personnel of army and law enforcing agencies and state properties will not be attacked; no target killing shall be carried out; no parallel administration will be established in the area; no cross border movement to Afghanistan for militant activities will be carried out and no ingress in settled areas adjacent to North Waziristan Agency will take place. Similarly they have resolved that all foreigners in North Waziristan will leave Pakistan, albeit those who are unable to do so for certain genuine reasons shall respect law of the land and abide by all conditions of the agreement. They shall not disturb the peace and tranquility of the area.
From the government side it was agreed that those arrested during the operation would be released. In fact most of these people have already been released and their privileges and benefits would be restored; new check posts on the roads will be dispensed with and all the old check posts will be manned by Khasadars and Levies. The government will resolve all disputes in accordance with tribal customs and traditions. Compensation will be given to the innocent tribesmen who lost their lives and properties during the recent unrest/ operation. Army troops will be shifted to Camps within the Agency.
As per the agreement a ten-member committee comprising local elders, members of political administration and Ulemas has been formed to monitor progress on the agreement and to ensure its implementation.
The NWFP Governor Lt. Gen. (R) Ali Muhammad Jan Aurakzai while lauding the efforts of the jirga members has welcomed the peace agreement, saying that it was almost unprecedented in tribal history that such a complicated issue has been amicably resolved within a few weeks period, keeping within the tribal traditions and customs. "I am indebted to all members of the jirga for their untiring and selfless efforts", he added.
The Governor said that with the increased development budget coupled with the reforms at the FATA secretariat level, the development pace in hitherto restive Waziristan would be increased tremendously. "The worst affected areas would receive major share in the development funds", he added.
He said that tribals have proved to the world that they are peace loving, progressive and democratic people and that they uphold the principles of justice and fair play. The image of tribesmen painted by the international media that they have negative thinking has been proved wrong with signing of this agreement.
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