Peace pact signed in Pakistan's tribal area
PAKISTAN: Local political administration and tribal elders
Wednesday evening signed a peace deal for the Khyber Tribal Agency in
Northwest Pakistan, official Associated Press of Pakistan reported.
The political administration of Khyber Agency and elders of Afridi
tribe struck a written peace pact whereby heavy penalties would be
imposed against the tribesmen challenging government's writ in Bara
tehsil of Khyber Agency, said the report.
No interference in the smooth running of the government's affairs
would be tolerated by any group or individual, said a one page document
released to the press after day-long marathon peace talks held in
Peshawar, capital city of North West Frontier Province.
Titled "Iqrar Nama", the document has been duly signed by the
agency's top administrator Tariq Hayat and elders of Afridi tribe Haji
Shaukat and Haji Ahmed Gul.
Talking to reporters after the talks, Tariq Hayat said that the talks
were held in extremely peaceful atmosphere and in a transparent manner
and there was no pressure whatsoever on the jirga of Afridi tribe to
sign the pact.
The jirga members representing all the sub tribes of Afridi tribe
inked the deal in accordance with the tribal traditions.
The peace pact will exclusively deal with maintenance of peace and
harmony in Bara tehsil of the agency.
Tariq Hayat also announced lifting of curfew from the Bara tehsil of
the agency after inking the written pact and established a 13-member
committee by Assistant Political Agent Bara for overseeing the written
agreement.
There would be a ban on open display of arms and ammunition in Bara
tehsil, the agreement added.
Security forces launched an offensive against local militant groups
in Khyber Agency in late June in a bid to ensure peace and local
government's writ in the area.
Islamabad, Thursday, Xinhua |