Tribal jirga held to resolve Orakzai headquarters issue

KALAYA: A grand tribal jirga was held to address the longstanding issue of establishing a permanent district headquarters in Orakzai. The meeting, attended by MPA Aurangzeb Khan and various tribal elders, aimed to find a fair and accessible location for all tribes.

Speaking on the occasion, tribal leaders, including Malik Haji Shakeel, Malik Lal Min Shah, Malik Izzat Gul, and Malik Fazal Muhammad, stressed the need for selecting a centrally located headquarters to ensure the smooth functioning of administrative affairs. They stressed that relocating the district headquarters to a more accessible site would help resolve many of Orakzai’s challenges.

MPA Aurangzeb Khan informed the jirga that a delegation of tribal elders had already met with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to discuss the issue. He assured that a neutral and just survey would be conducted after Ramazan to select the most suitable location. Until then, administrative officers, including the Deputy Commissioner (DC) and District Police Officer (DPO), would continue their duties in Hangu and various locations across Upper and Lower Orakzai.

Aurangzeb Khan further stated that some elements were deliberately trying to create disputes, but the government remained committed to ensuring peace, stability, and development in the region. He also promised to address other pressing concerns, including resolving boundary disputes and facilitating the resettlement of displaced Mamuzai tribespeople.

Tribal elders reiterated that a permanent district headquarters was essential for Upper Orakzai’s residents, many of whom were still living as displaced persons. They insisted that until a fair decision was made, the DC and DPO should operate from Hangu to ensure the smooth running of administrative affairs.