LAKKI MARWAT: Government officials and Marwat Qaumi Jirga on Thursday agreed to launch joint and concerted efforts to fight terrorism in the region. The agreement came during a meeting at the District Headquarters Complex Tajazai here.

The government team was represented by adviser to the chief minister Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif, public health minister Pakhtoon Yar, chief secretary Shahab Ali Shah and police chief Zulfiqar Hameed. Local MPA Tariq Saeed Khan, commissioner Mohammad Ali Shah, RPO Sajjad Khan, deputy commissioner Zeeshan Abdullah, DPO Mohammad Jawad Ishaq and assistant commissioner Sultan Nooruddin Ahmer were also present.

`If we remain entangled in the debate that this is just a war of security forces or police, the people will have to suffer irreparable losses,` said the chief secretary.He said Marwats were brave enough to counter security challenges. Mr Saif said the government was taking serious steps to improve the security situation and work for the betterment and prosperity of people.

`We have come here on the instructions of the chief minister so that the people`s problems can be discussed in consultation with elders and a lasting solution can be found,` he said.

The chief secretary assured the elders and after compiling a list of missing persons, efforts would be made for their recovery.

He said the provincial government was also going to launch development projects in the region as the initiative would help improve the security situation.

Mr Shah said special funds had been approved for provision of more armour personnel carriers to police and increasing their manpower.

`The process to release funds under the martyrs` package will be expedited,` he said.

The chief secretary said the policemen whose houses were destroyed by terrorists would get Rs3 million compensation each, while the families of civilian martyrs would receive Rs3.5 million and the injured Rs1 million each.

He asked the people not to allowterrorists to use their areas and lands for their activities.

Mr Shah said several mega development projects, including the construction of Darra TangLakki Road, Naurang Bypass Road and Takhtilkhel-Bragi Road, up-gradation of Lakki city hospital and mega water schemes for Lakki and Naurang will be included under the Annual Development Programme for the next fiscal.

The police chief said joint efforts by police, security forces and people would prove successful to rid the region from terrorism.

He said that inter-district and inter-provincial border checkposts were being strengthened with deployment of additional cops and promoting close coordination to counter security related challenges effectively.

`Joint operations in border areas will yield good results,` he said.

Mr Hameed said modern weapons were being purchased for the police, while the construction of police stations and checkposts in the region are in the pipeline,` he said, The MQJ members, including former federal secretary Akhtar Munir Marwat, former lawmakers Naseer Mohammad Khan and Shafiullah Khan Begukhel, alsospoke on the occasion.

Mr Marwat said terrorism could not be eliminated until the policymakers and people were on the same page.

`Elders are against terrorists and criminals and that they stand with law-enforcement agencies, he said, urging the government to resolve the missing persons issue and other public problems. He demanded an increase in the police manpower and regular patrolling by police and security forces with full support of peace committees.

The former lawmaker asked the government to initiate serious stepsforthe safe recovery ofcontractual workers of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission who had been kidnapped by terrorists over four months ago.

`Local tribesmen are being told to fight terrorists though their job is to support lawenforcement agencies,` he said.

Mr Begukhel claimed that several clashes had occurred between the local armed volunteers and terrorists in the recent weeks. He asked the government to provide arms and ammunition to the peace committees to fight terrorists more effectively.

The former lawmaker also demanded a compensation package for civilians who lost their lives fighting terrorists.