Two more down tomorrow:
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_9-7-2004_pg1_9'
Sanctions against four Shakai tribes lifted
* Two wanted tribesmen agree to surrender conditionally
By Iqbal Khattak
PESHAWAR: Muhammad Javed and Maulvi Abbas, two tribesmen wanted for harbouring foreign terrorists in South Waziristan, have offered to surrender conditionally because the government announced on Thursday it was lifting sanctions against four Shakai tribes in a 'goodwill gesture'.
Malik Shirin Jan, an elder of the Yargulkhel sub-tribe, broke the news to a Lashkar of the Ahmedzai Wazir tribe moments before the tribal army was to begin demolition of the houses of the two men's close relatives. "The two men are ready to surrender but they want to meet some clerics, tribal elders and commanders of the Lashkar before they surrender to the government," Mr Jan told the Lashkar, which was about to demolish nine houses of the two men's relatives.
The relatives of Javed and Maulvi Abbas had moved out to allow demolition of their houses but Mr Jan's disclosure stopped the Lashkar from executing the plan, an eyewitness from Dhog near Wana said. The wanted men would meet local clerics and tribal elders today (Friday) to negotiate their surrender at an undisclosed location, a tribal source told Daily Times from Wana. "They (the wanted men) may demand certain guarantees before surrendering to the authorities," he added.
"We removed household items from the targeted houses late on Wednesday evening to begin demolition early on Thursday morning," a member of the Lashkar said by phone from Wana.
No official was available to comment on the expected guarantees or demands from the wanted men before their surrender. North West Frontier Province (NWFP) Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah had announced the lifting of sanctions against Shudyakai, Khunyakhel, Sperkai and Khojelkhel sub-tribes in Shakai after they reached an agreement with the government on July 5 to stand against foreigners in their areas, believed to be a stronghold of Al Qaeda and Taliban members.
However, the governor said if the rest of the tribes cooperated with the government against foreigners in the same way; restrictions against them would be lifted. He made the announcement while addressing a 70-member jirga from Shakai in Peshawar on Thursday.
The governor also announced the release of arrested tribesmen and impounded vehicles as well as the restoration of electricity to the area, saying opening the shops of the tribes in Wana would also be considered. On a demand from the jirga, the governor agreed to make Shakai a tehsil and said funds would be made available to accelerate development in the area. He said eatables worth Rs 0.5 million would be distributed in the area.
Regarding the trial of Eda Khan and Dawar Khan, two tribal harbourers of Al Qaeda who surrendered to the government on July 2, Brigadier Shah said it would be decided later under which law - the Frontier Crimes Regulation or a military court-; they would be tried. "Let the interrogation be completed first, then it will be decided."