Security forces will stay in Bara as long as the government's objectives of peace and security are not achieved, Khyber Agency Political Agent (PA) Tariq Hayat said on Sunday. Hayat was talking to reporters after talks with a 35-member Afridi tribe jirga. In the meantime, he added, the government and tribal jirga would keep in contact and discuss various options on how to bring lasting peace to the region.
The Khyber Agency political administration also lifted the curfew from Bara Bazaar following a request by the jirga.
The jirga, led by Haji Amal Gul, held talks with PA Hayat at his office in Peshawar, following which the PA ordered the opening of the market to facilitate residents. Hayat said that the tribal elders had been assured that all the jirga's demands in accordance with the law of the land, Shariah and local norms and traditions would be accepted.
The government also formed a three-member committee, consisting of the Bara assistant political agent, the Jamrud tehsildar and the Bara naib tehsildar to continue negotiations with the Afridi tribe, he said.