KHYBER: The agitated Kukikhel tribesmen ended their protest on Tuesday after successful negotiations with the Peshawar division commissioner, who extended an assurance about their early return to their homes.

Sources said that a plan was devised during the meeting that displaced Kukikhel families

from Pakdarra area would start returning to their homes from June 5, and a phase-wise return to Ghakhay and Daman areas would follow suit on later dates.

It was also learnt that the Kukikhel delegation was told that the security situation of the region would also be assessed prior to their return.

Hundreds of Kukikhel tribesmen had started a return march to Rajgal and adjoining localities in Tirah on Monday in protest against the authorities’ failure to announce a final date for their return.

They were, however, stopped in Sheen Qamar area by the security forces, and later they established a protest camp at Bhagiyari checkpost on the main road leading to Torkham.

The road was reopened after the protesters’ successful meeting with commissioner Peshawar.

Meanwhile, the Customs Intelligence in collaboration with Frontier Corps (North) arrested two drug traffickers and seized a large quantity of contraband and arms from them in a major operation in Tirah valley.

Officials said the seizure included 300 kilogrammes of hashish, 2.5kg of opium and weapons.

According to customs officials, the market value of the seized drugs was Rs320 million, while the value of the seized weapons was still being determined.

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2024