MEHSUD EX-SERVICEMEN RECALL THEIR ROLE IN KASHMIR

Ex-servicemen demand peace in South Waziristan

(From "News" of Pakistan dated February 11,2008)


Monday, February 11, 2008

By Mohammad AnisISLAMABAD:

Retired civil and military officers belonging to the tribal areas have demanded of the government to find a peaceful solution to the trouble in South Waziristan."The people of the tribal areas are peace-loving people and they have rendered numerous sacrifices for the country," said Lt Gen (retd) Alam Jan Mehsud while addressing a news conference here on Sunday.Earlier, General Mehsud also presided over a meeting of the Tribal Welfare Society (Waziristan Chapter) that discussed the situation in the area and the plight of the people there.The meeting observed that the military operation in South Waziristan was resulting in the multiplication of Taliban there and therefore, a peaceful solution of the problem should be found. The meeting was also attended by the chairman of the society Khamar Khan Mehsud, Director General (retd) Foreign Office Ayaz Wazir, Director Technical Education Saifullah Burki and Qasim Mehsud.The meeting also demanded that the Pakistan Political Parties Act be applied to tribal areas also which could be helpful in resolving many issues.Talking to newsmen, Lt General (retd) Alam Jan Mehsud said that the people of Waziristan had played a leading role in the liberation of Azad Kashmir and they also defended the borders of the motherland during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan.He said the sacrifices of these tribal people not only brought peace and security to the region but also ensured stability and sovereignty of Pakistan. He said a large number of people had been displaced during the operation in Waziristan and now they were in very poor condition and they were not even allowed to carry their belongings with them as all roads leading to area were closed.He demanded of the government to arrange dispatch of food items on emergency basis like tents, blankets and quilts to the displaced people in Waziristan.