Friday, May 20, 2011

Senate body takes notice of HRs violations at Kurram

F.P. Report
ISLAMABAD: Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights Thursday taking a serious notice of the human rights violation situation in Kurram Agency has summoned the Parachinaari delegation and Ministry of Interior officials concerned in the next meeting of the committee.While talking to the Frontier Post here Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights Afrasiyab Khatak told that Senate Standing committee on Humman Rights have taken serious notice over the worst human rights situation in the Kurram Agency.Khatak said that following wrong policies the situation in the area was worst for the local residents and the committee would take up the issue in the coming sitting of the body.He maintained that in the coming session of the senate body the delegation from Parachinaar comprising Youth of Parachinaar representatives and the Ministry of Interior Officials would be summoned to debate the issue, as there were worst human rights violations in the area making lives of locals miserable.Afrasiyan Khatak stressed the authorities concerned to ensure the early and safe recovery of the abducted Kurram people as well.Informed Sources told the scribe that after one month of continuous protest camp in federal capital by Youth of Parachinaar, Corps Commander Peshawar,  IG Frontier constabulary, Commandant Tall Scouts, Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa accompanied by MNA FATA Sajid Hussain Turi has reached Parachinaar, the capital of Kurram Agency and held grand Jirrga (meeting of elders) there to redress the issue.Prior to Jirrga the particular delegation held separate sittings with the opponent factions and tried to convince them on the issue to reach out some solution.Sources also informed that in the Narai area of Khewas the exchange of fire was continue from last few days between the locals and miscreants, where as heavy contingent of  talibans (likely to strike Kurram Agency) was being gathered across the border at Tri-Mangal area-a strong hold of Taliban and Tri-Mangal tribes in Afghanistan.
 

Army hints at operation in Kurram Agency


Army hints at operation in Kurram Agency

By Our Correspondent | From the Newspaper
PARACHINAR, May 19: Corps Commander Lt-Gen Asif Yaseen Malik has hinted at launching a military operation to clear the restive Kurram tribal region of militants and make Thall-Parachinar Road safer for travelling.
Addressing a jirga of tribal elders in this administrative headquarters of the region on Thursday, the officer said a strategy was being chalked out to empty the area of trouble-makers.
"Result-oriented action will be taken very soon," he told the jirga which was also attended by Inspector General of Frontier Corps Maj-Gen Nadir Zeb, Additional Chief Secretary Fazal Karim Khattak and other senior officials. Gen Malik urged the tribal elders and people to fulfil their responsibilities and pinpoint criminals and anti-state elements.On the occasion, tribal elders called for immediate and safe recovery of kidnapped persons and security to passengers on the Thall-Parachinar Road.
They assured the military officials of full support for restoration of peace in the area.
The elders said that government should replace paramilitary forces with the army in the area. "The government should deploy regular army on the main road," they added. They alleged that Frontier Corps had lost the confidence of people as the force failed to provide security to local population.
Local people have stopped travelling on the main road after an attack on passengers in March last. About 13 passengers were killed and more than 30 kidnapped by the attackers.
Sources said that military operation in the area was on the card. "Perhaps the operation will be launched after the release of 31 persons, who were kidnapped when militants attacked on the passenger coaches in Beggan town on March 26," sources said.
Meanwhile, negotiators were busy in talks with the kidnappers to finalise a deal for the release of the hostages, according to well-placed sources.
They said that negotiations were being held at a secret location. Kidnappers, they said, had demanded huge ransom for the release of abducted passengers.
"We are expecting good news. The captors can free hostages anytime," said a source. He said that two separate militant groups were involved in attack on vehicles and kidnapping of passengers.
The Thall-Parachinar Road, the only artery linking Kurram with other parts of the country, remained closed to normal traffic since November 2007 when clashes broke out in the area. It was reopened to traffic in February after a peace deal was signed between the Sunni and Shia sects, living in the tribal region.
 

Operation in Kurram Agency soon: corps commander

 Friday, May 20, 2011
 
PARACHINAR: Corps Commander Peshawar Lt Gen Asif Yasin Malik Thursday said that the army was planning a massive military operation to purge Kurram Agency of terrorists.

Addressing a grand tribal jirga at Parachinar, he said the army action would be undertaken for bringing peace and securing the roads in the tribal region.He said the tribespeople were also responsible for playing their role in maintaining peace in their area. He asked them to keep an eye on the anti-state elements.

Inspector General Frontier Corps Maj Gen Nadir Zeb and Additional Chief Secretary Fazal Karim Khattak were also present on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, elders of the Turi and Bangash tribes said the tribesmen would provide maximum cooperation to the forces for restoring peace in the violence-hit tribal region.

Chief of the grand tribal jirga, Malik Waris Khan Afridi, said the government had provided one billion rupees to the affected people of the Kurram tribal region and would allocate another Rs700 million in the next budget.