Star cricketer Yasir Shah to work for peace in KP

Becomes DRC member in Swabi for settling disputes

PESHAWAR: After winning laurels for the country by achieving a number of records in his brief career in international cricket, leg spinner Yasir Shah has now started playing role in improving law and order and settling disputes in his native Swabi district.

Yasir Shah, the 29-year old cricketer famous for his leg breaks, googlies and flippers, has been made member of the Dispute Resolution Council (DRC) in Swabi where he has promised to give time to settle disputes between rivals and ensure peace.

“When he met me for the first time, he was very enthusiastic about playing his role in improving things in Swabi. We invited him to become a member of our DRC and he gave his consent. Now he is formal member of the DRC in Swabi and has promised to give at least one day every month to help settle disputes,” District Police Officer (DPO) Swabi Javed Iqbal told The News.

The DPO said he called a number of local elected representatives to have a meeting with Yasir Shah on the day he joined the DRC.

“We have settled some very important cases through the forum,” he added.Many have welcomed the gesture of the star cricketer that will help boost the image of the bodies working to settle disputes across the province.

“There are many prominent names, especially from the judiciary and others, who have joined the DRCs and are playing their important role in settling disputes within their respective areas,” stated Nasir Khan Durrani, the inspector general of police Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while talking to The News.

Yasir Shah, who has taken the highest number of 76 wickets in only 12 Tests, belongs to Gohati village in Swabi. He started his Test career in October 2014 against Australia. He began his one-day international career in September 2014 against Zimbabwe.

Legendary Australian spinner Shane Warne had praised Yasir Shah to no end.In his home district, Yasir Shah is highly regarded as a star cricketer and also for being a fine human being.

“He enjoys huge respect in the area, especially among the youth, and we wanted him to use his influence for settling disputes. He is member of the DRC now and has promised to play an active role in it,” said the regional police officer Mardan, Mohammad Saeed Wazir.

According to the head of the DRC Swabi, Habib Khan, the forum has settled a dispute and ended the 41 years long enmity between Saida Jan and Saifullah of Jaganat village in Yar Hussain.

“A dispute spread over 21 years was settled in Kalu Khan village through the DRC. We have around 98 members in the DRC that also includes the female vice chancellor of the University of Swabi Noor Jahan,” stated Habib Khan.

The DRCs introduced in the province last year have settled hundreds of cases without involving the police and courts, reducing the burden on the two institutions. The police, however, are involved to the extent that the offices of all these bodies are set up inside police stations where a senior cop works as its coordinator. The cops also summon the parties to the dispute when any complaint is filed against them. In case of disagreement, the cops can lodge FIR against someone on complaint of the aggrieved party.