Fata Secretariat of the Governor NWFP Tuesday commented on the signing of a peace agreement in the region, saying that the Afridi tribes of Bara Tehsil, Khyber Agency has submitted a written undertaking to the political administration regarding the maintenance of peace and good behaviour in the area.
The secretariat said that Tribes will not carry out attacks on law-enforcement or public property in the area and will not indulge in any targeted killings.
The tribes have also recognised that armed patrolling in the area is the exclusive right of law-enforcement agencies and have pledges not to establish any parallel institutions to those of the government. No incursions will be made into the district of Peshawar or other settled areas adjacent to the Bara Sub Division.
Additionally, any foreigners present in the Bara Sub Division will have to leave, while government employees and jawans of the law-enforcement agencies will not be threatened in any way. The tribes and personnel of the traditional Khasadar force will be responsible for roadside safety, in accordance with the tribal traditions.
In the undertaking, the tribes have also agreed to allow Khasadars to shoot dead miscreants involved in any criminal activity. The action of the Khasadars was given protection under section 38 of the Frontier Crimes Regulations (FCR) and tribal traditions.
The tribes will also not hamper with development projects in any way and tribe s will be responsible for the protection of all workers - Pakistani or foreign, as well as government officials, subcontractors and their labour. The responsibility for this safety will be assigned to the tribe on whose land the development work is being carried out in.
Regarding the presence of non-locals, the concerned tribe will be responsible for their behaviour. Furthermore, the government reserves the right to act in accordance with the FCR and Riwaj. The tribes will also not allow the establishment of any training camps, and in the case of violations to this provision, the political administration will call the concerned tribe for verification and to take necessary action. After verification if the tribe fails to take action, the government may act according to the FCR and Riwaj.
The tribes have also agreed to ban the carrying and display of non-licensed weapons in Bara Bazaar and all public buildings and institutions. Additionally, no propaganda will be disseminated against Pakistan or other institutions. In accordance with tribal traditions, there is no ban on small arms, however, the ban on heavy weapons will continue.
The agreement reached on these points will be applicable upon signing and all provisions of the agreement will be implemented in letter and spirit within two weeks in order to bring normalcy to the area.
A thirteen-member committee of local elders headed by the Assistant Political Agent (APA) Bara will be constituted after mutual consultation to settle all issues peacefully if possible. The proposed committee will meet monthly on the first Friday or as required.
The committee will have the responsibility of dealing with violations of the agreement and present recommendations and reports within 72 hours. The decision of the APA Bara will be final in the case of a difference of opinion amongst members of the committee. A tribal jirga will ensure the representation of all maliks and tribal elders of all territories in the signing of this agreement. In order to ensure the implementation of the agreement, a surety of Rs 30 million has been fixed in accordance with tribal traditions. All maliks and tribal elders will be responsible for the implementation of the agreement in letter and spirit in their respective areas. In case of any violations, legal action, in accordance with FCR and tribal traditions, will be taken against the responsible tribal elder or tribe.
No religious sect will be authorised to issue fatwas against any other Muslim individual or sect and issues pertaining to religious affairs will be resolved through a recognised religious scholars or muftis with the assistance of the government.
The tribes have also agreed to hand over 36 persons to the political administration as a guarantee of the payment of the surety and 25 Kalashnikov rifles as additional security.
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