JUI-F-sponsored Jirga calls for giving rights to tribal population

By
AFP
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JUI-F-sponsored Jirga calls for giving rights to tribal population
ISLAMABAD: The grand tribal jirga being held here under the banner of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) has demanded of the Pakistan government to provide the population of the tribal areas with their rights.

A number of political leaders including JUI-F chief Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, Amir Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Sirajul Haq, Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PMAP) leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali, Pakistan People’s Party-Sherpao leader Aftab Sherpao and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Haider Abbas Rizvi addressed the jirga.

The leaders unanimously called for giving the tribal people their rights and taking them onboard in decisions concerning their future.

Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman in his address likened the military action in tribal areas to a situation where a disease spread more as attempts were made to cure it. “In this country oil is sprayed instead of water to extinguish the fire,” he regretted.

JI Amir Sirajul Haq said his party can brighten the country and that a dawn of Islamic revolution is in the offing.

He regretted that the rulers have kept the facilities of quality education and health within access to their families only and vowed to wage a result-oriented struggle against the ‘oppressive system’.

PMAP leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai called for giving all the federating units their rights to ensure integrity and stability of Pakistan. He said people from Bajaur to South Waziristan should be provided their right to vote.

ANP chief Asfandyar Wali said as soon as the issue of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) cropped up, a game of thrown was started at Islamabad’s D-Chowk. “Pakhutans are paying the price for the ongoing power battle,” he added.

He said attention of all quarters continues to remain diverted towards the container while the IDPs are being woefully ignored.

Haider Abbas Rizvi of MQM said no one can feel and empathise with the pain and plight of IDPs better than the migrants, as their realities have great similarities.