All roads reopened after agreement reached with government
MIRANSHAH:
A protest sit-in that had blocked all entry and exit points in the Mir Ali area of North Waziristan’s tribal district for a week ended on Tuesday following successful negotiations between protesters and government representatives.
The demonstration was sparked by a deadly quad-copter strike in the Hormuz area of Mir Ali, which killed four children from a single family and critically injured their mother and several other women. Outraged local tribespeople and activists condemned the attack as a gross human rights violation.
Protest leader Mufti Baitullah said the negotiations resulted in an agreement addressing key demands of the demonstrators, including compensation, investigations, and security assurances.
Under the deal, a compensation package will be provided to the families of the victims. Authorities have pledged to cease the use of drones, surveillance equipment, and mortar shells against the local population.
An impartial committee will also be formed to conduct a thorough investigation into the Hormuz attack, with demands for local representation to ensure transparency.
Additionally, internet services in the area are to be immediately restored to support education, commerce, and access to information.
The agreement also calls for tribal jirgas to address the release of tribal elder Malik Akbar Khan, the withdrawal of military personnel from the Mir Ali Hospital, and the lifting of the curfew.
Furthermore, it includes a guarantee that no drone strikes will be conducted under the current local security official’s command. If this condition is violated, protesters have threatened to shut down all company operations extracting resources from the region.
Locals view the agreement as only a partial victory, emphasizing that actions, not promises, are needed. “We have made countless sacrifices. Now we want justice, security, and development. Words alone won’t heal our wounds—only action will,” said Haji Inam, a local elder, in an interview with The Express Tribune.
The father of the four slain children voiced his anguish: “Is the life of my children worth just a report? Even if an inquiry is held, will I get my children back? At the very least, such cruelty should never happen to another parent.”
Meanwhile, security forces have denied involvement in the Hormuz strike. On May 19, the military dismissed the allegations as part of a “coordinated disinformation campaign” aimed at undermining counterterrorism efforts. The military’s media wing said their investigation showed the attack was carried out by the Indian-backed “Fitna Al Khwarij,” referring to the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The statement said: “It is clear these elements, acting on orders from their Indian sponsors, continue to exploit civilian areas and vulnerable populations for their terrorist acts,” asserting that these tactics are meant to create distrust between local communities and the security forces.
