The people of Bajaur Agency have reiterated their resolve to maintain peace and stability in the agency and have vowed to strive collectively in close collaboration with the government and the political administration.These views were expressed by a 60-member tribal jirga representing Bajaur Agency during their call on NWFP Governor Lt General (r) Ali Muhammad Jan Orakzai here at GovernorÂ’s House on Tuesday. The jirga informed him about its efforts for the maintenance of peace and developments so far in this regard. Senator Abdul Rashid, MNA Maulana Muhammad Sadiq and a tribal elder Malik Abdul Aziz speaking on behalf of the jirga told the governor in detail of the efforts and achievements of the jirga and hoped that the situation in the agency would improve and the confidence of both sides would be restored.
Governor Orakzai assured the jirga of his cooperation and support. He urged the elders to play their due role in the maintenance of peace, which was essential for the development and socio-economic uplift of the area. He said the tribal elders in spite of undergoing difficulties were bringing up opportunities that must be availed in the best interest of the area and the people. “Our efforts should be aimed at deriving a positive outcome from an unfavourable situation,” he said.
Referring to the situation in Bajaur Agency, the governor said the government earnestly desired to resolve all issues peacefully, adding that the jirga was the perfect institution in this regard and was expected to play its role. “The government wants peace not only in Bajaur but in the entire tribal belt so that the development process can move forward,” he said while referring to the FATA Sustainable Development Plan 2006-2015. Once implemented, he said, it would make the tribal areas a truly developed and prosperous region. “Peace is a pre-requisite for development and its maintenance could be ensured through a jirga,” he said.