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       MOHMAND / NORTH WAZIRISTAN / SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: Thousands of people, including tribal elders, political leaders, civil society members, and citizens, participated in massive rallies (peace marches) held in Mohmand and North Waziristan districts on Friday, opposing any fresh military operations on their soil and the resultant displacement of local communities.

       A huge peace march was held in Mian Mandi Bazaar in Halimzai tehsil of Mohmand district.

       The participants, including MNA Sajid Khan Mohmand, PTI leader Sajjad Mohmand, JUI-F emir Maulana Arif Haqqani, former MPA Nisar Mohmand, special assistant to chief minister Dr Mohammad Israr, MPA Malik Mehboob Sher, Lower Mohmand tehsil chairman Naveed Ahmad Mohmand, JI emir Malik Mohammad Saeed and representatives from ANP, PPP, PML-N, QWP, and PTM attended the peace rally. They declared that the state had failed to ensure peace in the tribal belt.

       “We pay taxes and abide by the law. All we ask for is peace in our homeland,” said local JI leader Firdous Safi.

       Participants claim state has failed to ensure peace in former Fata

       The participants condemned the recent killing of Maulana Khan Zeb, a prominent voice advocating for peace and tribal rights over natural resources.

       In a similar development, members of Utmanzai Jirga Aman Pasoon of North Waziristan demonstrated in Miramshah, the district headquarters, and reiterated that they would not allow any fresh military operation in the area.

       Elders from across North Waziristan and thousands of people participated in the event.

       Speaking to the media, a spokesperson for the Utmanzai Jirga, Mufti Baitullah, said political alliances, the business community, and elders of North Waziristan had unanimously decided that they wouldn’t allow any military operation in the area.

       He emphasised that military operations were not a solution to problems, noting that several operations had already taken place, including the Operation Zarb-i-Azb, but they failed to yield results.

       Baitullah said there had been progress and agreement with the government on many issues, including reopening of the Ghulam Khan border crossing for trade, easing of curfew, and permission for non-custom-paid vehicles.

       Mufti Baitullah announced that the next peace demonstration would be held in the Dattakhel subdivision, as the people there were facing severe hardships, including a curfew that had been in place for 11 days.

       He urged the government to ease the curfew and resolve all issues, especially those related to peace, through mutual consultation and dialogue.

       The jirga also demanded immediate release of elder Malik Akbar Khan, who has been imprisoned for the past eight months, stating that his release was crucial for restoring the community’s trust in the government.

       Meanwhile, the eight-day-long sit-in at Wana Bypass Chowk in Lower South Waziristan concluded on Friday after the district administration agreed to meet all the three demands of the protest leaders, the main being the reopening of the Angoor Adda border crossing.

       The protest was organised by Mutahida Siayasi Aman Pasoon (a peace movement).

       Lower South Waziristan deputy commissioner Nisar Khan and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf MNA Zubair Khan Wazir held talks with the protest leaders.

       Representatives of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl, Pakistan Peoples Party, Jamaat-i-Islami, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Awami National Party, National Democratic Movement, Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement, and members of the local bar association also participated in the negotiations.

       On this occasion, deputy commissioner Nisar Khan confirmed that the administration had agreed to all three demands raised by the protesters.

       “Urgent and effective measures will be taken to curb the deteriorating law and order situation across the district,” he said.

       “Local tribes will be granted full ownership rights over the mineral resources present in the region so that the economic benefits can directly reach the indigenous communities.”

       “The Angoor Adda border, which has remained closed for the past 22 months, will soon be reopened for trade to revive local economic activity,” he added.

       Soon after the sit-in ended, the Wana Bypass Chowk and Wana-Tank Road were reopened to traffic, easing the difficulties faced by commuters, traders, students, and patients.

       On this occasion, president of South Waziristan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Saifur Rehman Wazir said the prolonged closure of the Angoor Adda border had crippled local trade.

       “Markets have shut down, thousands of traders have suffered massive losses amounting to billions of rupees, and the national exchequer has incurred similar financial setbacks due to the suspension of border trade,” he said.

       Published in Dawn, July 19th, 2025