| A jirga of tribal clerics on Thursday made no headway in gaining the support of pro-Taliban militants for peace in Bajaur Agency as the government announced cash prizes for information leading to the arrest of ‘miscreants’. A government official said the clerics jirga had returned after meeting Taliban leaders who reiterated that they were not involved in the subversive activities in the area. “The Taliban say they are not involved in any attacks and demanded the government give evidence of its claims,” jirga leader Maulana Rashid told Bajaur chief administrator Sharifullah Khan. Khan told the jirga members that the Taliban should stop their activities during Ramazan. He announced Rs 100,000 award for information on the ‘miscreants’. Meanwhile, a jirga of the Mehsud tribe held talks with South Waziristan Political Agent Hussainzada Khan in Wana to discuss the release of around 200 soldiers. The jirga later left for Ladah to resume talks with the captors. |