KHAR: The Barang tribe of Bajaur Agency on Saturday showed readiness to stop poppy cultivation in their area in the current season after the administration assured the tribesmen of provision of their basic needs and facilities.

The decision was made by the elders of Barang tribe during a jirga with Bajaur Agency political agent Mohammad Yahya Alchunzada here at his office.

Dozens of tribal elders of various sub-tribes of Barang tehsil and officials of the local administration were present on the occasion.

Issues, including law and order situation and strategy to provide basic facilities to the people, were discussed in the jirga.

The tribal elders said that they knew that cultivation of poppy was banned, but they were forced to grow the crop as they had not been provided with basic needs.

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They said that the admin-istration had always made claims to provide basic facilities to the people of Barang tribe, but no such step had been taken in this regard as yet.

The elders said that provision of education, health care, roads and other basic facilities were the responsibilities of the government, but people of Barang tribe were deprived of all such basic rights.

Speaking on the occasion, the political agent said that the administration was aware of the needs and problems of Barang tribe and huge funds had been allocated for several new public welfare development schemes in the area under the current annual development programme.

He said that the administration was committed to improving the quality of life of people and boosting local economy.

He claimed that the new schemes would ensure basic and modern facilities to the tribesmen of the most backward and remote area of the agency.

Mr Akhunzada said that ban on poppy cultivation was the need of the hour and the government had already banned growing poppy in the entire country, including the tribal areas.

He said that the administration had decided to clear the agency of poppy crop this year at all costs.

He said that cultivation of poppy in Barang area was a serious challenge for the administration and strict action would be taken against those cultivating poppy in current season.