A Tribal Loya Jirga (grand council) on Friday announced complete support for Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf 'Dharana' (sit-in) to protest the US drone attacks in tribal areas through stopping supply to Nato forces in Afghanistan. The jirga demanded immediate halt to the US drone attacks and called for extension of Political Parties Act and implementation for recommendations of FATA reforms council to the tribal belt.
Addressing the jirga, a PPP legislator from Bajaur Agency, Akhundzada Chattan here at Peshawar press club said that Pakistan is passing through critical juncture, especially tribal areas of the country. He said that the growing US predator attacks, non-implementation of political reforms are the major hurdles in the resolution of the issues of FATA. All groups are united to bring FATA into mainstream to immediate resolve problems and issues confronted the tribal belt, he observed.
He said that terrorism has not affected only tribal areas, but fuelled the entire country, adding that the tribal people are specifically targeted through US drone attacks. The tribal people will not tolerate American aggression, he said. "Will we rise against drone attacks when it would hit other parts of the country?" he questioned.
He said that the development and progress could not be possible without elimination of FCR draconian law in the tribal areas. The tribal elders are agreed on FATA reforms council, which could be helpful to extend political parties act, and protection of basic human right in tribal areas. He said that billions of rupees had been allocated for development of the FATA, but there was yet to be initiated any mega project.
In the prevailing situation, he said , the tribal people are much worried about future of their children. "We want joint efforts and struggle for amicable solution of our problems}, he demanded. Dr Bashir, PTI chief organiser in FATA, said that president Pervez Musharraf had allowed US drone strikes on innocent tribal people, which has not halted yet.
Flanked by PPP Jhenraz Khan and a large number of tribal elders, he said that the elected representatives had raised voice against the US predator strikes on tribal areas, because of innocent tribal people including aged, women and children had been killed, whereas a large number are still mentally depressed.
Bashir said that it was matter of grave concern a CIA contractor involved in double murder case was released due to support Pro-US government of Pakistan. Nek Zaman of JUI-F assured full support to struggle carried out by Chattan against US drone attacks, saying that his party would back the anti-US movement. He said that the tribal elders would fully participate in the planned two-day sit-in of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in Peshawar.
Jamal Wazir held the elected representatives responsible for prevailing chaos and disturbance in tribal areas, saying that the FATA MNAs and senators had fulfilled their vested interest, and left the poor tribal people on mercy of others. He said that the elected representatives had merely united to become in power, but were least bothered to raise voice against growing US drone attacks on tribal areas.
He extended full support to upcoming Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf sit-in, to fully participate in it. He urged the people to participate in sit-in to show solidarity with tribal people, saying that they would support any party, which will raise voice against US drone attacks. Later, the jirga unanimously passed a resolution demanding of the elected representatives of FATA to take firm stand against US drone strikes, otherwise they will call Loya Jirga in this regard.
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