KHAR: Following strong resistance from politicians, transporters and tribal elders, the ongoing crackdown on non-custom paid vehicles in Bajaur Agency has been halted.

An of ficial of the political administration told Dawn the development came following talks between senior officials and a delegation of elders, local politicians and transporters. PML-N lawmaker Shahabuddin Khan was also part of the delegation.

The official said political agent Abdul Amir Khattak had assured the delegation that crackdown on NCP vehicles would stop with immediate effect, after the delegation condemned the action and termed it economic murder of the transporters.

Following the meeting, the official said the crackdown on the NCP vehicles, which started on July 21, had been stopped across the agency.

He said the Levies personnel had been directed to suspend the action against the NCP vehicles till further orders.

However, the of ficial said the action against reassembled and stolen vehicles would continue. He said all the NCP vehicles impounded during the crackdown would be given back to their owners.

He said the administration wanted to initiate registradonprocessoftheunregistered vehicles as soon aspossible, but high-ups of the Governor House and Fata secretariat were not in favour of registration of more NCP vehicles in the agency.

The official said more than half of the 9,000 NCP vehicles plying on the roads of Bajaur Agency were unregistered.

PEACE JIRGA: Security forces and political administration on Monday called upon elders of Bajaur Agency to expedite efforts for keeping exemplary peace in the region by checking activities of militants in their areas.

The call was made by Bajaur Scouts Commandant Colonel Nayyar Zaman and additional political agent Mohammad Ali Khan while speaking at a jirga of elders of Tharkani and Utman Khel at Bajaur Scouts headquarters in Khar.

Col Zaman appreciated the elders for their ef forts to rid the agency of militants and their supporters.

He said the tribesmen had bravely fought against the militants. He said peace and normalcy had been restored in the entire agency following the joint efforts of security forces and local people.

On the occasion, APA Ali Khan said the elders should continue supporting the security forces and the local administration in keeping peace in the agency.

The elders reaffirmed their pledge to continue supporting the security forces to keep a peaceful environment across the agency.