NA body concerns over no jail available in FATA

Friday, 21 January 2011

NA body concerns over no jail available in FATA

ISLAMABAD, Jan 20 (APP) - National Assembly Standing Committee on SAFRON expressed concern that over no jail available in Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA), only Judicial lockups exist.The committee met here at Parliament House under the chairmanship of Chairman committee Sajid Hussain Turi while MNA Engineer Muhammad Tariq Khattak, MNA Noor Alam Khan, Murtaza Javed Abbasi, Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Mir Ahmadan Khan Bugti, Syed Asif Hasnain,Shaukatullah and Jawad Hussain also attended the meeting. The committee said lockups are in wretched condition and funds should be allocated for maintenance to increase the numbers. Necessary legislation should also be made to construct Jails in FATA,added. The Committee condemned that prisoners are harassed, tortured and kept for longer period in lockups without fulfilling the legal formalities. The Committee recommended FATA Secretariat to prepare infrastructure complete codal formalities, make legislation and arrange funds as soon as possible. Necessary legislation should also be made to construct Jails in FATA. In this regard, SAFRON should allocate funds.  The Committee said that FATA is free tax zone area and there is no custom Act. The Committee noted that an average 220 number of vehicles cross Torkhum border daily because of less distance, security protection and good condition of road.  The Committee appreciated that Toll tax is being collected in Hayatabad ring road and recommended for levy of toll tax in Torkhum border from NATO vehicles and directed Ministry of Law, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce, FATA Secretariat and FBR to furnish report within 15 days to members of the Committee. Similarly to repair the roads in FATA, SAFRON may take-up the case with concerned authorities for allocation of funds.      The Committee recommended calling IG Frontier Core and other relevant officers in next meeting to explain the details about collection of Rs 35000/- per truck in Tall and Kurram Agency. The Committee noted that check-posts of Kurram Agency and other areas of FATA are not safe thus deployment of more security is required at these places. The Committee apprehended that if FATA issues are ignored it will damage the whole country. The Committee recommended for constitution of Reform Committee of MNAs/ Senators of all political parties which will prepare a detailed work plan to resolve the issues of FATA. The Committee recommended that every applicant should be issued permit without discrimination to supply wheat/ Food and livestock etc to Afghanistan from FATA in letter and spirit.  The Committee appreciated that Cadet College will start functioning in Wana in April, 2011. However, the proposals of opening of Cadet Colleges in Auragzai and Kurram agencies and University should be completed as soon as possible.  The site selection and topographic survey and PCs should be completed by respective Heads of Agencies/ experts and necessary funds should also be arranged without further delay. The Committee advised FATA Secretariat to finalize following laws as soon as possible in FATA, the Higher Education Commission Ordinance, 2002 (Ord. LIII of 2002), the Federal Universities Ordinance, 2002 (Ord. CXX of 2002), the Trusts Act, 1882 (Act II of 1982), the Provident Funds Act, 1925 (Act XIX of 1925). The Auditor General's (Functions, Powers, Terms and Conditions of Service) Ordinance, 2001 (Ordinance XXIII of 2001) and the Service Tribunals Act, 1973 (Act LXXI of 1973). source: http://app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=128233&Itemid=2

 

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Two soldiers among 12 kidnapped in Kurram, Orakzai

Two soldiers among 12 kidnapped in Kurram, Orakzai

 

Thursday, January 20, 2011

PARACHINAR/SADDA: Gunmen reportedly kidnapped two personnel of the Kurram Levies from a checkpoint and five tribesmen from Ali Sherzai area of Kurram Agency on Wednesday while another five tribesmen were kidnapped from Orakzai Agency, tribal sources said.

The sources said the militants kidnapped the Kurram Levies official from the checkpoint on the Defence Road in lower part of Kurram Agency. They were identified as Sepoy Muhammad Ayub and Sepoy Mir Wali.

After the incident, the sources said, the political administration launched search in the area to recover the missing men. Meanwhile, the militants kidnapped five tribesmen in Ali Sherzai area of Kurram Agency on Wednesday, tribal sources said.

The sources said that five tribesmen were on way to village Naway Killay in Ali Sherzai area when the militants kidnapped them. The sources said that there were serious differences between Commander Mullah Toofan group operating in central parts of the Kurram and Orakzai agencies and militants belonging to Kurram Agency. Reports suggested that more than 100 militants including two commanders had so far been killed in clashes between the two rival groups.

source: http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=3435&Cat=13&dt=1/20/2011

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Jirga to unveil peace plan for Kurram

Jirga to unveil peace plan for Kurram

 

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

PARACHINAR: Members of a grand Jirga held successful talks with tribal elders of Kurram Agency for the restoration of peace in the area ravaged by years of sectarian violence.

Talking to reporters here on Tuesday, a member of the Jirga, former minister Malik Waris Khan Afridi, said that the people of Kurram Agency would soon hear good news. Waris said successful talks were held with all the stakeholders to put an end to the four years of sectarian strife that left scores of people dead. 

"The residents of Kurram Agency have been waiting for restoration of peace for years," he said, adding, the people would again live like brothers. He said the conflict had added to the miseries of the tribesmen and they could not afford more bloodshed. "The outcome of the Jirga will be made public in a couple of days," he said.

 

source: http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=26538&Cat=2

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Helicopter service starts for Kurram

80pc Kurram cleared of militants, says official

 Tuesday, January 18, 2011

PARACHINAR: Security forces have cleared 80 per cent area of the Kurram Agency of militants during the ongoing operation, a senior military official said.

Briefing journalists on Monday, Commandant Kurram Militia Col Tauseef Akhtar said the militants were eliminated from most parts of the Kurram Agency. "We have almost purged the Kurram Agency of the militants. The remaining areas will be cleared soon," he said.

He said a helicopter service between Peshawar and Parachinar has also been launched with two flights a week. Talking to reporters, Political Agent Syed Musadiq Shah said the helicopter service was started to mitigate the suffering of the masses.

Meanwhile, the tribal people thanked Corps Commander, Peshawar, Lt Gen Asif Yasin Malik, for launching the service. They said they were facing a host of problems due to the closure of the Thall-Parachinar Road. The tribesmen asked the corps commander to increase the number of helicopter flights to facilitate the stranded people.

source: http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=26343&Cat=2&Result=0

Helicopter service starts for Kurram Agency

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

 

PARACHINAR: Peshawar-Parachinar helicopter service has been started to provide fast travelling services to tribesmen of Kurram Agency. 

Briefing newsmen at Parachinar, Commandant Kurram Militia Colonel Tauseef Akhtar said that Pakistan army has started helicopter services between Peshawar-Parachinar to provide relief to tribal people of Kurram agency and two flights will operate in a week. 

The aims of the service are to provide speedy and quick communication facilities to tribesmen besides mitigating their problems. 

Eighty percent areas of Kurram Agency have been cleared from militants and miscreants following successful military operations against anti-state-elements and strong action would be taken against miscreants whenever found, he added.

Action is being taken in some restive spots of Central and Lower Kurram Agency and no compromise would be made on Government's writ, he remarked. Col Tauseef said that Kurram Militia jawans and army officers had presented matchless sacrifices for protection of motherland.

Kurram Agency's political agent Musadiq Shah said development projects have been started in areas where writ of government has been established. He said helicopter service would go long way in addressing masses problems.

The tribal elders and chieftains including Gul Baz Khan Orakzai and Ali Khan Orakzai highly appreciated the Corps Commander Peshawar Lt Gen Asif Yasin Malik for his keen interest for starting the helicopter service. 

source: http://www.thenews.com.pk/NewsDetail.aspx?ID=9611

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Kurram militants snatch vehicle with 7,000 chickens

Kurram militants snatch vehicle with 7,000 chickens

PARACHINAR: Armed militants snatched a vehicle carrying 7,000 chickens after manhandling the driver and his helper in the Bagan Parao area in lower tehsil of Kurram Agency on Sunday, local sources said.

The sources said the poultry was being shifted from Peshawar to Parachinar, the headquarters of Kurram Agency, when the armed militants intercepted and snatched the vehicle at gunpoint.

The sources added the heavily armed militants manhandled the driver and his co-worker and forced them to go away. Earlier on January 4, the militants attacked a convoy escorted by the security forces and burnt 22 loaded trucks. 

Travel on the Thall-Partachinar Road has been risky for the last more than three years due to presence of militants operating in the area. The militants have been abducting people for ransom and even killing them. The government has been unsuccessful in opening the road for passengers as even convoys escorted by the security forces have been attacked.

source:http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=26159&Cat=2&dt=1/17/2011

Monday, 17 January, 2011 08:00 AM (GMT +5)

Severe cold increases children, elders' diseases in Kurram Agency

Upadated on: 16 Jan 11 09:19 PM

Staff Report KURRAM AGENCY: The ongoing severe cold row has increased children and elder people's diseases in Kurram Agency of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, SAMAA reported on Sunday. Every year during winter season, severe cold engulfs Kurram Agency and cold caused many diseases mount in the area. The children and elder people are specially troubled by these diseases. This year again, the severe dry cold has increased, more than usual, diseases amongst the children and senior people; these diseases and deteriorated security situation along with the closure of roads have multiplied miseries of the tribal people to many folds. The local doctors have said that it is normal routine that every year during the winter season many diseases increase but this year the intensity of diseases' spreading is more than the usual. The tribes of Kurram Agencies have demanded the government to provide free treatment, medicines and basic facilities to their patients as they are unable to bear the difficulties caused by the diseases and lack of facilities in the local hospitals. SAMAA source: http://www.samaa.tv/News30172-Severe_cold_increases_children_elders_diseases_in_Kurram_Agency.aspx

Militancy aftermath: Compensation for Kurram urge

Militancy aftermath: Compensation for Kurram urged

Tribal people have rendered great sacrifices for Pakistan, says PPP leader Dr Riaz Hussain Shah. PHOTO: EPA

PESHAWAR: Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Kurram Agency chapter president, Dr Riaz Hussain Shah urged the government on Thursday to provide compensation to tribesmen for the huge losses incurred by them because of militancy and terrorism.

Addressing a news conference at the Peshawar Press Club, Shah said the tribal people would be highly appreciative of the government if it took action against elements found guilty of corruption and mal-practices in development projects.

"The tribal people have rendered great sacrifices for the stability, progress and protection of Pakistan and their matchless sacrifice is highly commendable," he remarked.

He claimed that 2,000 people had lost their lives in Kurram Agency since 2007, while numerous others suffered immense financial losses. Condemning the recent deadly militant attacks on trucks loaded with relief goods on Kurram-Parachinar Road, the PPP leader asked the government to pay attention to the people who are facing acute shortage of food, medicine and other necessities of life.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 14^th, 2011.

source:http://tribune.com.pk/story/103523/militancy-aftermath-compensation-for-kurram-urged/

 

Plunder, torching of trucks

Plunder, torching of trucks

 

Friday, January 14, 2011

PESHAWAR: Condemning the blockade of the Thall-Parachinar Road, elders of the Turi tribe from Kurram Agency on Thursday demanded compensation for the loaded trucks, plundered and torched by militants on the main road in lower part of Kurram Agency.

Addressing a news conference here, Dr Syed Riaz Hussain Shah, president of the Pakistan People's Party, Kurram Agency chapter, said a convoy of 25 loaded trucks and tankers was travelling under protection of security forces from Peshawar to Parachinar on January 4 when it was looted and torched by the militants.

He said the looted and destroyed goods and vehicles were worth an estimated Rs400 million, and asked the government to compensate the owners and dealers for their material losses. The PPP leader was accompanied by Haji Gulab Hussain, Ishaq Hussain Bangash and dozens of other elders from the Turi tribe of Kurram Agency.

He said that local tribesmen who had given shelter to the militants and terrorists in lower part of Kurram Agency must be held responsible for such acts as they had been targetting people from a particular sect and tribe to settle scores and for their vested interest. He demanded full implementation of the Murree Peace Agreement between the Turi and Mangal tribes to restore peace and harmony in Kurram Agency.

To a question, he said some 2,000 people had died and more than 5,000 were injured since the clashes erupted between the two tribes since 2007 and also led to closure of the Thall-Parachinar Road. He said the tribesmen in upper Kurram Agency were facing a shortage of food and medicines due to the closure of the road and blockade of all routes to Afghanistan.

source: http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=25678&Cat=2&dt=1/14/2011
 

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46 held in Kurram under FCR, says official

46 held in Kurram under FCR, says official

Iqbal Hussain

Saturday, January 08, 2011

SADDA: The political administration of Kurram Agency arrested 46 tribesmen under the collective responsibility section of the Frontier Crimes Regulation after 22 trucks loaded with relief items were looted in the area a few days back. 

Talking to The News by phone on Friday, Assistant Political Agent of Lower Kurram Agency, Azmatullah Wazir said the convoy of 123 trucks was heading for Parachinar from Peshawar when a group of armed men, apparently militants, intercepted it near Durrani village, four kilometres away from Sadda city. 

He said the militants not only looted and but also torched 22 trucks. However, he said 48 trucks succeeded in reaching Parachinar while the remaining ones were taken back and parked at the Frontier Corps fort in Arawali area.

The official said all the trucks were loaded with relief items and were being taken to Parachinar. 

Taking serious notice of the incident, the APA said the political administration arrested 46 tribesmen and demolished their six houses and four shops in Sadda market. He said curfew had been enforced in Sadda sub-division banning all kinds of movement.

The official said the perks and privileges of the Class-IV employees had been withheld till an indefinite period. He said the military's gunship helicopters also shelled some of the suspected places in Durrani village but caused no casualties.

source: http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=24495&Cat=7&dt=1/8/2011

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Convoy of fuel, food torched in Kurram

Convoy of fuel, food torched in Kurram

 

Wednesday, January 05, 2011

SADDA/PARACHINAR: A group of militants Tuesday attacked and torched a convoy taking fuel and edibles for the tribespeople of Upper Kurram valley and in the subsequent exchange of fire a Frontier Corps soldier was wounded, official sources said. The authorities later imposed curfew in and around Sadda town and made preparations for a search operation to hunt down militants. Security officials said the militants attacked the convoy of seven vehicles in which fuel and food items were being transported to upper part of Kurram Agency and set it on fire in Durrani village, five kilometres south of Sadda, the main town of Lower Kurram valley. The soldier of the paramilitary Frontier Corps sustained injuries in the exchange of fire with the militants. After the closure of the Thall-Parachinar road three years ago due to poor security, the government has been taking people and food items from Peshawar to Parachinar, the headquarters of Kurram tribal region, in the form of convoys under the escort of the FC personnel. Official sources said the militants fired rockets at the convoy and then opened fire on the FC men with their AK-47 assault rifles. They first torched the oil-tanker and then set ablaze the remaining vehicles carrying food items without facing any major resistance. Later, the authorities sent the FC troops to the area and cordoned off the village where the militants attacked the convoy. The political administration under the territorial responsibility clause of the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) suspended all perks and privileges of the Durrani tribespeople and started investigation into the incident. Also, the authorities clamped curfew in Sadda and its adjoining areas for seven days and started making arrangements for launching a crackdown against militants.

source: http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=3131&Cat=13&dt=1/5/2011
 

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A report from Kurram

ANALYSIS: A report from Kurram —Farhat Taj

Both Shia and Sunni IDPs have many complaints against the parliamentarians elected from Kurram. They say that elected representatives from Swat did a great deal to alleviate the sufferings of the Swati IDPs whereas the Kurram parliamentarians have done nothing to help the Kurram IDPs

Kurram is a mixed Shia and Sunni agency in FATA. Since 2007, both the Shias and Sunnis of Kurram have been facing violence, road blockades and large-scale human displacement. Sectarian clashes in 2007 displaced Sunni tribesmen, women and children from the Shia-dominated parts of upper and lower Kurram and Shia men, women and children from the Sunni-dominated parts in upper and lower Kurram. The Kohat-Parachinar road is unsafe for Shia travellers. Convoys carrying Shia travellers that were escorted by the security forces were attacked by militants on this road, leading to deaths and injuries. The convoys were especially attacked on a five kilometre portion of the road between Chapari Pathak in Kurram to district Tal in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This area is known as Toor Ghar (Black Mountain).

I have had many meetings with Shia and Sunni tribal elders and displaced families. There were accusations, counter-accusations, claims and counter-claims. Both sides showed me video clips depicting acts of terrorism committed against each side. Unless there is a proper and impartial investigation, it is difficult to say who did what and how. What, however, is clear is that both sides are sick and tired of violence and want peace restored in Kurram at the earliest. Luckily, the two sides agree on three important issues: the Murree Agreement, university campuses in Kurram, and promulgation of the Political Parties Act (PPA) in FATA, including Kurram. Strangely, it is the government that is dragging its feet on these issues.

The Murree Agreement was signed between the Shia and Sunni tribes in November 2008 under the auspices of the government of Pakistan. The agreement asks for armed tribal groups to vacate their positions, the repatriation of IDPs, supply of food and medicine to the affected areas and removal of all road blockades. Any side violating the terms of the agreement would face punitive action from the government of Pakistan, including a fine of Rs 20 million. The government, however, has failed to implement the agreement right from the first day and the people of Kurram continue to suffer violence. Both the Shia and Sunni tribes want the government to strictly implement the Murree Agreement and both wonder why the government is reluctant to establish its writ in Kurram through the Murree Agreement that the government itself made between the two sides.

In terms of education, Kurram is far more advanced than other FATA agencies. The people of Kurram take pride in this. Both Shia and Sunni tribal leaders requested the government to establish two university campuses, one each in Parachinar, upper Kurram and Sadda, lower Kurram. The governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the political administration in Kurram supported the idea. The government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa directed the Vice Chancellor (VC) of the Islamic College in Peshawar (a chartered university), to set up two campuses in Kurram. The VC, Ajmal Khan, currently in the custody of the Taliban who kidnapped him, visited Kurram in July 2010 for this purpose. Two government buildings, one each in Parachinar and Sadda, were acquired and staff was recruited. Even the students' admission process had begun in both campuses. Suddenly, the FATA secretariat refused to hand over the government buildings in Parachinar and Sadda for university purposes. Under pressure from the FATA secretariat, the Islamic College, Peshawar abandoned the whole plan. Both the Shias and Sunnis accuse 'vested interests' in the FATA secretariat as having spoiled the whole plan. They condemn the authorities in the FATA secretariat and especially accuse an additional chief secretary (ACS) for depriving the Kurram youth of higher education. They request the president of Pakistan to ensure that the campuses are established in Kurram at the earliest as per plan.

The late Benazir Bhutto had filed a case in the Supreme Court of Pakistan for the promulgation of Pakistan's PPA in FATA. In August 2009, President Zardari announced the implementation of the PPA in FATA. The announcement was never followed by an official notification. Resultantly, FATA continues to be a no-go area presumably for secular political parties like the PPP and ANP, whereas religious political parties like the Jamaat-e-Islami and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam continue to have free access to the area through mosques and madrassas. The people of Kurram, like people elsewhere in FATA, argue that the pro-Taliban Wahabi discourse of the religious parties must be countered by a pro-peace discourse of political parties like the PPP and ANP — the parties that unite rather than divide people on a sectarian basis. Both Sunnis and Shias in Kurram want the implementation of the PPA in FATA. The ANP and, especially, the PPP have a large following in Kurram.

Moreover, both Shia and Sunni IDPs have many complaints against the parliamentarians elected from Kurram. They say that elected representatives from Swat did a great deal to alleviate the sufferings of the Swati IDPs whereas the Kurram parliamentarians have done nothing to help the Kurram IDPs.

The people of lower Kurram, an area that produces many labour migrants, especially for the Middle East, request the government to open a passport office in Sadda. They also request upgrading of the grid station in lower Kurram because the area constantly suffers from low electricity voltage.

In short, innocent civilians on both the Shia and Sunni sides have greatly suffered in sectarian violence since 2007. They are tired of the violence and look to the government to bring normalcy to their shattered lives through a strict implementation of the writ of the government and provision of necessary facilities like education, electricity, etc. The government must rise to the occasion by fulfilling its responsibilities in effectively dealing with the issues on which the Shias and Sunnis have no differences.

The writer is a PhD Research Fellow with the University of Oslo and currently writing a book, Taliban and Anti-Taliban

 

source: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011\01\01\story_1-1-2011_pg3_4

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