NWFP tribal elders face legal action

The government has decided to take action against all those tribal elders from the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) who paid unauthorised visits to Afghanistan recently and received favours from the Afghan government.

Two such elders from the Orakzai tribal agency have already been arrested and more arrests could take place in the coming days in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

"We are going to implement the existing government policy by taking action against tribesmen involved in anti-state activities. Those found hobnobbing with the Afghan authorities with a view to harm Pakistan's interest would be made accountable," warned Brigadier (Retd) Mahmud Shah, secretary (security) FATA.

Malik Mir Said, from the Sheikhan Orakzai tribe, and Haji Fazlur Rahman, an Orakzai elder from the Esakhel sub-tribe, were arrested by the political administration in the Orakzai tribal agency during the last few days and sent to the Kohat jail. Another four to five Orakzai tribal elders who accompanied Malik Mir Said and Haji Fazlur Rahman on their clandestine trip to Afghanistan also face arrest.

Brigadier Mahmud Shah told Gulf News that tribesmen are permitted to undertake visits to Afghanis-tan to attend funerals, weddings and other social events. But he said trips that are political in nature are disallowed and anyone violating this principle would be investigated and punished.