The Bara jirga requests assistance for families displaced from the Tirah Valley.
The Bara Political Alliance has called for total unity, compassion, and unwavering support for all families temporarily evacuated from the Tirah Valley.
The declaration was issued during a significant jirga called by the Bara Siyasi Ittehad, a coalition of various political groups in Bara.
Participants emphatically expressed their endorsement of peace and vehemently condemned the provincial government for purported ineptitude and corruption regarding funds designated for Tirah affectees.
Jirga elders asserted that corruption and political involvement in the allocation of Rs4 billion to displaced people were intolerable. The agenda of the national jirga was introduced by Haji Shireen Afridi, the former head of the Bara Political Alliance.
Haji Shireen Afridi reported that two jirgas were convened with militants, following which accountability was transferred to the provincial government and Tirah elders; nonetheless, both jirgas were unsuccessful in yielding outcomes.
The jirga elders underscored that the challenges encountered by the Tirah affectees extend beyond a singular region or tribe, representing a common national concern, and any additional postponement in addressing these issues is unacceptable. The decision for temporary evacuation was made following consultations with provincial officials and political leadership, especially from Khyber district.
The elders insisted on the prompt reinstatement of total calm in the Tirah Valley, accompanied by a definitive assurance of enduring security. They demanded an immediate cessation of gunfire, shelling, mortar assaults on residences, and instances like the downing of quadcopters, asserting that these activities had inspired fear and panic among people.
The jirga also insisted on the respectful repatriation of displaced families and the execution—both in documentation and practice—of all pledges and agreements established with them. Prompt settlement of outstanding liabilities for cars utilized during displacement was also requested.
The Jirga elders cautioned that neglecting to settle these debts would lead to protest convoys transporting the vehicles to Peshawar. They additionally demanded unbiased inquiries into political intervention, favoritism, administrative inefficiencies, and corruption in the registration process for Tirah affectees, along with stringent measures against those accountable.
The elders insisted that all homeowners or property owners in Tirah be conferred Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) status, comprehensively registered, and incorporated into aid packages. They articulated apprehension regarding the declining law and order conditions in Upper Bara and Bara Plain regions, advocating for prompt remedial actions.
The jirga has officially initiated a peace effort in Bara today to guarantee a secure environment for the populace.
The Bara Political Alliance reaffirmed its commitment to support the Tirah affectees across all platforms and persist in its efforts until their rights are ensured.