Local political administration and tribal elders Wednesday evening signed a peace deal for the Khyber Tribal Agency in Northwest Pakistan, official Associated Press of Pakistan reported.
The political administration of Khyber Agency and elders of Afridi tribe struck a written peace pact whereby heavy penalties would be imposed against the tribesmen challenging government's writ in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency, said the report.
No interference in the smooth running of the government's affairs would be tolerated by any group or individual, said a one page document released to the press after day-long marathon peace talks held in Peshawar, capital city of North West Frontier Province.
Titled "Iqrar Nama", the document has been duly signed by the agency's top administrator Tariq Hayat and elders of Afridi tribe Haji Shaukat and Haji Ahmed Gul.
Talking to reporters after the talks, Tariq Hayat said that the talks were held in extremely peaceful atmosphere and in a transparent manner and there was no pressure whatsoever on the jirga of Afridi tribe to sign the pact.
The jirga members representing all the sub tribes of Afridi tribe inked the deal in accordance with the tribal traditions. The peace pact will exclusively deal with maintenance of peace and harmony in Bara tehsil of the agency.
Tariq Hayat also announced lifting of curfew from the Bara tehsil of the agency after inking the written pact and established a 13-member committee by Assistant Political Agent Bara for overseeing the written agreement.
There would be a ban on open display of arms and ammunition in Bara tehsil, the agreement added.
Security forces launched an offensive against local militant groups in Khyber Agency in late June in a bid to ensure peace and local government's writ in the area. The authorities last week directed the army to suspend its operation so that the elders and militants could hold peace talks.
Source:Xinhua
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