Malik Niyaz, an influential tribal leader of the Mohmand Valley, passionately appeals to his peers to take action through unification during a historic tribal jirga, Jan. 21, of Shinwari Maliks. The 170 village elders representing six districts in Nangarhar province met to denounce the Taliban and corrupt governance by signing the Anti-Taliban Shinwari Pact. The pact committed the sub-tribes to helping themselves by assisting fellow Afghan and coalition security forces and agreeing not to cultivate or refine poppy products. Failure to follow the mandates of the pact would be met with dire consequences to the guilty party. "We promise we will help you fight Taliban," Niazy said, "but you must help us."