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| India-Pakistan |
| Mehsud Jirga agrees to hand over Hakimullah |
| 2010-01-22 |
| [The News (Pak) Top Stories] A Jirga of the Mehsud tribe on Wednesday agreed to hand over their 378 wanted men, including the chief of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Hakimullah Mehsud, to the government and announced to fully support the government in maintaining peace and reconstruction process. The Jirga announced to accept all the seven conditions put forward by the government for ensuring peace and harmony in the South Waziristan Agency. The government had given January 20, 2010 deadline to the Mehsud tribe for seeking their response on the seven conditions. The announcement was made at the Jirga, held at the Political Compound South Waziristan in Tank district, which was attended by over 300 leading tribal elders of the Mehsud tribe. -- APP Irfan Burki adds from Wana: The government conditions included surrender of 378 wanted persons, a ban on display of arms, acceptance of Collective Responsibility Clause of the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) and abstaining from giving shelter to foreign militants. The Jirga announced to accept all the conditions and pledged to extend all possible help to the authorities in purging the area of militants. Speaking on the occasion, the elders said that Mehsud tribesmen had no intention to fight against their own Army and the restoration of peace in South Waziristan was their earnest desire. They added that they were patriotic citizens of the country and wanted to see progress in South Waziristan. The Mehsud elders hoped that the government would play its role in rehabilitating and compensating the internally displaced persons (IDPs), who had to leave their homes in South Waziristan. They said the conditions set by the government were acceptable to them and another Jirga for peace talks would be held on February 10. Addressing the Jirga, South Waziristan Political Agent Syed Shahab Ali Shah said the government would provide all-out support to the tribal people affected by the operation. He lauded the cooperation of the Jirga elders for peace in the area. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #1 Interesting development.. BUT and a big but .. these folks have a history of negating on any deal when it suits them , so could someone pass the salt |
| Posted by: Oscar 2010-01-22 03:32 |