Sunday, March 07, 2010
Ban entry of Haroon Rashid into Bajaur

our correspondent

KHAR: Notables and elders of Salarzai tribe Saturday declared the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) leader and former parliamentarian Sahibzada Haroon Rasheed as enemy of the people and banned his entry to Bajaur Agency.

The tribal elders also demanded of the government to take stern action against the former MNA and some of his relatives reportedly involved in subversive and militant activities in Bajaur.

Addressing a press conference at Raghagan in Salarzai subdivision, a number of elders including Malik Mahboob Khan, Malik Munasib Khan, Malik Muhammad Younas, Malik Abdul Salam and others rejected the formation of any government committee on the demolition of the JI leader’s house and killing of his mother and niece.

They alleged the former MNA had close links with the local and foreign militants and he and some of his relatives were directly involved in militant and anti-state activities.

The maliks also announced full support to the security forces and political administration for their action against Haroon Rasheed and urged the authorities to take him to task for supporting militants in the area.

“After the first US drone strike on a seminary in Damadola in 2005, the JI leader announced support for the militant activities and created law and order situation in Bajaur Agency,” Malik Mahboob alleged.

He said a number of elders of Salarzai tribe were killed and injured and their houses destroyed in suicide attacks and bomb blasts carried out by militants.

He held Haroon Rasheed and his family members responsible for the killing of innocent tribesmen and destruction of their houses and demanded tough action against them.

Salarzais declare former Jamaat MNA ‘enemy of people

By Hasbanullah Khan

KHAR: The Salarzai tribal elders of the Bajaur Agency have termed the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) deputy chief and former member of National Assembly (MNA) Haroonur Rashid as persona non grata for the Bajauri tribes on Saturday.

Tribal elders of Salarzai tribe and Salarzai Qaumi Lashkar including Malik Mehboob Jan, Malik Munasib Khan, Malik Mohammad Younas, Malik Abdul Salam, Malik Mohammad Akbar, Anwar Zaib Khan, Malik Hafizur Rehman along with others held a press conference in Raghghan area and alleged that Haroon had links with local and foreign terrorists. The elders demanded that Haroon be banned from visiting Bajaur and declared they would take revenge from him for the killing of 51 Salarzai tribal elders.

They said the JI leader and his family were promoting Talibanistaion in the Bajaur Agency and they support the demolition of his house by security forces. The elders demanded of the government to investigate the killing of 51 Salarzai tribal elders.

The tribesman said Haroon had played a major role in spreading hatred against the government and the country following the first US drone attack in Damadola area of the agency. The elders said the JI leader and his family were involved in killings and other violent attacks against Salarzai tribesmen, which destroyed peace in the area.

They alleged that Haroon’s mother and niece did not die in the demolition of his house, but died due to the house’s collapse after heavy rain and snowfall. The tribesmen said there was no need for an investigation into the incident, as political parties have no meaning in the tribal system.