KHYBER: The Khyber district administration has been unable to persuade a jirga of Kukikhel elders to end the ongoing blockade of the main Peshawar-Torkham highway, which entered its 15th day on Wednesday. Despite assurances from the deputy commissioner regarding efforts to facilitate the return of displaced families, the blockade persists.
Deputy Commissioner Captain (retd) Sanaullah Khan had hoped to negotiate a resolution with the Kukikhel elders, assuring them that he would communicate their concerns to military and civil authorities to ensure the dignified return of the remaining displaced families. He mentioned that the matter involves military considerations and that adequate arrangements for the return of families would take some time.
The DC also expressed a willingness to announce a comprehensive relief package for the returning families, pending approval from relevant authorities. However, jirga members felt unable to broker a deal with the protesters, citing the genuine nature of their grievances and the government’s failure to fulfill its commitment to their safe return.
One jirga participant criticized the state for its failure to restore peace in the Tirah valley and for not addressing the return of displaced families despite 14 years of displacement. The DC has requested additional time to relay the message to the relevant authorities.
Meanwhile, former Jamaat-i-Islami Senator Mushtaq Ahmad visited the Bhagiyaree protest camp, expressing solidarity with the Kukikhel tribe. Ahmad condemned the denial of permission for Kukikhel families to return to their homes as a violation of their human rights and assured the tribe of his party’s support during these challenging times.
