PESHAWAR (Dunya News): The Bara Political Alliance has demanded complete solidarity, sympathy, and full support for all families temporarily displaced from the Tirah Valley.
The announcement was made during an important jirga convened by Bara Siyasi Ittehad, an alliance of different political parties of Bara.
Participants strongly voiced their support for peace and sharply criticized the provincial government over alleged incompetence and corruption in funds allocated for Tirah affectees.
Jirga elders alleged that corruption and political interference in the distribution of Rs4 billion among displaced families were unacceptable. The agenda of the national jirga was presented by former chairman of the Bara Political Alliance, Haji Shireen Afridi.
Haji Shireen Afridi stated that two jirgas were held with militants, after which responsibility was handed over to the provincial government and Tirah elders; however, both jirgas failed to achieve results.
The jirga elders emphasized that the problems faced by Tirah affectees are not limited to a single area or tribe but constitute a collective national issue, and any further delay in resolving them is intolerable. They noted that the decision for temporary evacuation was made after consultations with provincial authorities and political leadership, particularly from Khyber district.
The elders demanded the immediate restoration of complete peace in the Tirah Valley along with a clear guarantee of lasting security. They called for an immediate halt to firing, shelling, mortar attacks on homes, and incidents such as downing quadcopters, stating that these actions have created fear and panic among civilians.
The jirga also demanded the dignified return of displaced families and the implementation—both in writing and practice—of all commitments and agreements made with them. Immediate payment of outstanding dues related to vehicles used during displacement was also demanded.
Jirga elders warned that failure to clear these dues would result in protest convoys taking the vehicles to Peshawar. They further called for impartial investigations into political interference, favoritism, administrative inefficiency, and corruption in the registration process of Tirah affectees, with strict action against those responsible.
The elders demanded that all residents owning homes or property in Tirah be granted Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) status, fully registered, and included in relief packages. They also expressed concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in Upper Bara and Bara Plain areas, urging immediate corrective measures.
To promote peace, the jirga announced the formal launch of a peace movement in Bara from today to ensure a safe environment for the public.
Reaffirming its commitment, the Bara Political Alliance pledged to stand by the Tirah affectees on every forum and continue its struggle until their rights are secured.