Tribesmen in the South Waziristan Agency on Saturday sought time to consider an amnesty offer by the government to hand over suspected foreign and local terrorists as the political administration warned of an operation if they were not surrendered.
| How the hell long has this been going on? Since October, at least... |
Speaking to a grand jirga of Ahmadzai tribe, Deputy Administrator Rehmaullah Wazir told the tribesmen that stern action would be taken against all those found supporting the suspected terrorists. He said during his December 23 visit to the area, NWFP Governor Iftikhar Hussain Shah had announced an amnesty for all local and foreigners voluntarily surrendering to the government. Mr Wazir urged the Jirga to take advantage of the governor’s offer. The tribesmen assured the political administration of their full support but sought some time to consider the government offer. Another grand jirga of the Ahmedzai Wazir tribe would be convened on January 8 to take a final decision in this regard. |