LAKKI MARWAT
A jirga of Marwat elders and political stalwarts was held on Sunday at Township Tajazai to discuss gas supply issue explored in Bhittani area (erstwhile FR Lakki) and maintenance of peace in Lakki Marwat.
Those who participated included Pakistan People’s Party member central executive council Anwar Saifullah Khan, former MPA JUI Malik Noor Salim Khan, Barrister Sher Afzal Khan, former District Nazim Ishfaq Ahmed Khan, Mayor Serai Naurang Azizullah Khan, Mayor Lakki Shafqatullah Khan, Mayor Ghaznikhel Zeeshan Khan, Pakistan People’s Party district president Iqbal Hussain, Awami National Party district president Ali Sarwar Khan, Akram Khan, Qaumi Watan Party district president Amirzada Khan and others. The jirga was convened by the Marwat Reformative Movement chairman Rasheed Ahmed Khan.
Speaking on the occasion, the speakers vowed to protect the rights of Marwat tribe at all cost.
Anwar Saifullah Khan urged the elders of the area to constitute a committee to pursue the gas royalty case, adding that he would fix the meetings with the federal minister and secretary for SNGPL.
He said, “With the provision of gas, the opportunity of setting up of industries would be open at the district”, adding that the ratio of unemployment and poverty would be overcome with the establishment of industries.
Iqbal Hussain said, “Under the 18th Amendment autonomy was granted to the provinces and it was the right of the province and district that gas supply should be ensured first to the district then other areas of Pakistan.
Coming harsh on the deplorable state of peace in the district, Sher Afzal Khan said that the criminals should be subjected to social boycott.
Ishfaq Khan argued that Marwat Qaumi Jirga had lost its significance and thus he dissolved it when he was the district nazim.
Regarding the security and peace issues in the district, he said the government should give more vacancies of police force to maintain law and order in the district.
Johar Muhammad Khan said that the notables and elders of the district should stand united to resolve the long-standing problems of the district, adding that the practice of appeasing the district administration should be stopped.
Malik Noor Salim seconded the idea of setting up of committee to hold meetings with the minister and secretary at Islamabad.
