WANA: In South Waziristan Lower, Wana a grand Jirga of nine tribes led by Tribal elders and Ulamas of Ahmad Zai Wazir was held to revitalize business activities and remove obstacles on the Angoor Adda border.
It was decided that another grand Jirga would be held in Wana Bazaar on Monday with full participation from the all Wazir tribes.
It’s noteworthy that business activities have been halted and suspended for the past five months at the Angoor Ada border, continuous to protests by local tribes for their rights and ligimate demands.
The President of the Chamber of Commerce, South Waziristan Lower District Saif Ur Rehman Wazir, mentioned significant losses to the national treasury and around five billion rupees in losses to traders. He highlighted that unemployment has affected thousands of people and local transport linked to Angoor Ada business has ceased.
Furthermore, due to the halt in business activities, numerous establishments such as hotels, warehouses, petrol pumps, and service stations at the Angoor Ada gate have shut down, exacerbating unemployment and financial distress among tribal youth.
Saif Wazir said, many prominent businessmen from Wana have shifted their capital to Ghulam Khan, Torkham and Kharlachi borders to keep their businesses running, aggravating unemployment in the area.
It’s evident that the cessation of business activities at the Angoor Ada border has led to increased incidents of smuggling, robbery, and theft in South Waziristan Lower District.
All participating tribal elders and Ulamas in the grand Jirga informed the media that the rise in theft and smuggling in South Waziristan Lower is largely due to youth unemployment.
