"Attack on madarassa hurt NWFP Guv's negotiating credibility"

The Monday's air strike on a madarassa in Bajaur Agency which was allegedly housing a militant training camp, killing 80 people, has reportedly threatened the negotiating credibility of NWFP Governor Jan Orakzai.

The attack reportedly came as a surprise for the Governor, who was so far acting as a negotiator with the tribal leaders in the Agency.

"The Bajaur strike is a setback to the Governor's credibility. He had assured tribal elders and clerics that all issues would be tackled through negotiations and tribal traditions would be upheld to maintain security in the region," the Daily Times quoted an unidentified official as saying.

Orakzai, a tribesman himself, was appointed NWFP Governor earlier this year to help the federal government in finding a negotiated settlement to growing militancy in the tribal areas after the security situation in North Waziristan deteriorated.

Official sources said that the Governor and his team were "stunned" by the attack on the madrassa, because it came at a time when the Pakistan government was about to reach a peace agreement in the area, reported the paper.

The political administration of Bajaur Agency was negotiating a North Waziristan-like accord with militants. Nine members of the banned Tehrik Nifaz-e-Shariah Muhammadi were released on October 21 after four months in detention on terrorism charges, a move that was seen as an indication that a deal was close.

"Obviously, negotiations with the militants by the administration enjoyed the full backing of the governor. The chief administrator of Bajaur, Fahim Wazir, was not doing all this on his own. He was directed by the governor who believes the use of force in tribal areas is not the only solution the government should go for," the paper quoted the official as saying. (ANI)

Viewer's Comment

Comments Not Available

More Stories