They emphasize that since 2008, over 4,000 individuals in Bajaur have fallen victim to the war on terrorism, yet peace remains elusive and call to stage sit-in in Khar Bazaar on July 30 (Catchline)
BAJAUR: The joint Grand Jirga of the Turkalani and Atman Khel tribes has formally rejected the proposed military operation in the Bajaur tribal district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, citing concerns over its impact on local communities. The Jirga has announced plans to hold an ‘Aman Pasawoon’ and a protest sit-in in Khar Bazar on July 30 to voice their opposition to the ongoing unrest and the deteriorating law and order situation in the region.
The meeting, convened at Khar, saw a unanimous stance against the military operation, with tribal leaders arguing that such actions forcefully displace tribesmen from their homes under the pretext of combating terrorism. The Jirga was attended by numerous political and tribal leaders and elders, including Syed Akhunzada Chattan, Haji Sher Bahadur Salarzai, Maulana Khan Zeb, Qari Abdul Majeed, Malik Faqir Muhammad, Najeeb Khan Mamond, Aurangzeb Inqlabi, Malik Asghar, Malik Hifzur Rehman, and Malik Fazl Rabi.
In their addresses, the speakers mourned the loss of Senator Hidayatullah Khan and his colleagues, who were killed in a recent bomb blast in Dama Dola, and called for a transparent investigation into the tragedy. They emphasized that since 2008, over 4,000 individuals in Bajaur have fallen victim to the war on terrorism, yet peace remains elusive. The continuous bombings and target killings have devastated local lives, and the government has been criticized for its inability to curtail the violence.
The Jirga has resolved to stage a sit-in outside the district headquarters in Khar on July 30 as part of their ‘Aman Pasawoon’ initiative. On this day, all commercial centers across the district will close in solidarity with the protest, and participants will carry white flags to symbolize their demand for peace. The tribesmen have vowed to take all necessary measures to restore peace and stability in the region. This planned protest reflects the growing frustration among the local population over the prolonged instability and ineffective governmental response, underscoring the urgent need for a reassessment of strategies to address the ongoing conflict and its humanitarian impact.
