Sept 7, 2024
By Islam Gul Afridi
TIRAH:
For the past 17 days, local tribesmen have blocked the Pak-Afghan highway in the Bhagyari area of Jamrud tehsil, Khyber district, as they push to have their demands met. The protest, organized by the Dharna Committee, has attracted displaced people from the Tirah valley who are demanding the right to return to their homes.
Malik Naseer Khan Afridi, the head of the Dharna Committee, said, “Every morning, a large number of displaced people from the Tirah valley join the sit-in, and some even stay overnight.”
The demand for the return of displaced persons to their homes has gained momentum. Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, in the press briefing on September 5, provided details of military operations against illegal groups in the Tirah valley. He expressed concerns that allowing the displaced to return could lead to security challenges.
Haji Zameer Gul, one of the displaced persons, commented, “This is the first time the Pak-Afghan highway has been closed for such an extended period due to a protest. Hundreds of trucks carrying goods are stuck, causing immense hardship for the drivers.”
The Dharna Committee reports that 6,000 to 7,000 families out of 30,000 are waiting to return to their areas. Despite discussions with authorities, no resolution has been reached.
Malik Naseer Khan Afridi announced that the Dharna Committee would boycott the anti-polio campaign starting September 9 in the Jamrud tehsil. He also said that there are plans to block the route for freight vehicles travelling through Jamrud Bazaar to Malaguri.