GHALANAI: The tribal elders of Essakhel area have demanded of the authorities to reopen trade route between Pakistan and Afghanistan to revive business activities in Mohmand Agency.

The demand was made during a jirga of the elders of Essakhel here on Monday. Political Agent Mahmood Aslam Wazir, MNA Malik Bilal Rehman, assistant political agents Pir Abdullah Shah and Haseebur Rehman Khalil, heads of line departments and local tribesmen attended the jirga.

The elders assured the administration and security forces of their full cooperation in maintaining law and order in the border areas.

They said that government should launch mega development projects in the militancyhit areas of Biazai tehsil.

Addressing the jirga, Malik Ghazi Ahmad said that officials of local administration should visit Essakhel, Jarobi Darra and others areas to know the real situation. `Ours homes were damaged in the militancy and military operation and most of the families were dis-placed from the areas. They were residing with their host families therefore they were not given an IDP status,` he said.

He said that they were not compensated and their houses were not reconstructed.

The tribal elders said that Gursal, the only trade route with Afghanistan, had been closed for the last eight years owing to which all business activities had come to a standstill in the region.

They said that the border areas of Biazai lacked health, education and other facilities.

`There is not a single high school for boys and girls in Khwezai and Baizai areas due to which many students quit education after passing examinations for 8th grade,` they added.

The elders said that there was acute shortage of drinking water in Essakhel and others areas.

Speaking on the occasion, Political Agent Mahmood Aslam Wazir said that administration was trying to launch development projects in Essakhel area. He said that developmental activities were in progress as governor had approved a special package of Rs30 million for Biazai areas.

`Pak-Afghan trade route would be reopened very soon. We are in contact with all the stakeholders` said Mr Wazir.