08-04-2014SabawoonDaSemeJaj.

Field: Social Sciences (Social Sciences)

Center for Research and Security Studies Transcription Series: Sabawoon Program: Da Sime Jaj Date: 08-04-2014 Field Story No 1: Army training for Malakand police (Reporter Khurshid Ali) Field Story No 2: Misbehavior of Bannu police with inhabitants of Waziristan (Reporter Umar Fayaz) Field Story No 3: International Day of Mine Awareness (Reporter Gul Husain Mohmand) Anchor Person: Khalda Niaz Co-Anchor Person: Abdul Razaq Additional Info: Summary: âInternational Day for Mine Awareness and Assistanceâ celebrates worldwide on every 4th April to raise awareness about landmines and unexploded devices and materials to safe the humanity in conflict zones. Mines are excavated to destroy vehicles or to kill security personal or common people. People living in Fata, frontier regions and other war-ravaged areas of Pakistan are the most vulnerable communities at present, who most often become victims of landmine explosions. Both the government and NGOs need to launch an awareness campaign to educate them in this regard. The campaign should be observed in those areas where the people are facing the danger of landmines. Children often become victims of toy like bombs and unexploded shells, grenades and bullets etc. planed by insurgents or miscreants. These communities need to be sensitized as to how to remain safe from landmines and other unexploded material.â Khalida Niaz: Taliban militants presented a list of Taliban captives detained by Pakistani forces for their release, while the government committee has also prepared a list of captives to present it to peace negotiators to secure their release. In this regard, government constituted a special committee to look into the matter as well as to develop an atmosphere of trust and confidence between the peace committees. It will certainly help reduced tension between Taliban and Pakistani government. On the other hand to seek justice from judiciary, thousands of inhabitants of tribal belts submitted writ petitions in High Court Peshawar so as their long awaited problems including missing persons could be addressed, since political administrations in their respective regions are reluctant to provide them justice. Our reporter of âSabawoonâ program, Mr. Abdul Razak will inform the listeners about Peshawar High Courtâs verdict regarding these petitions. Abdul Razaq: According to cause-7 of article-247 of Pakistanâs constitution, Supreme Court, High Court or lower courts have no jurisdiction in Fata and to deal with the cases of tribal inhabitants. Recently Chief Justice Peshawar High Court, Faseeh-ul Mulk constituted a bench comprising over five members including him. The High Court made the decision that it has nothing to do with problems and affairs in Fata and that concerned political administration and Fata tribunal is supposed to ensure speedy justice to the people. However good news is that the Chief Justice has sent a reference to President of Pakistan asking him for amendment in article-247 through an ordinance or parliament should bring amendment in this regard, so as to extend SC and HC jurisdiction to tribal regions. Parliament can amend article-247 through simple majority. Nasir Afridi caller 1: I belong to Frontier Region Peshawar, I salute to Chief Justice of Peshawar High Court for sending reference to the President for amendment in article-247, which is the biggest obstacle in provision of justice to the clans. It is an appreciable step of the Chief Justice. In case the article is abolished or modified, it will ensure cheap and speedy justice to tribal people, who are denied from their fundamental rights since 65 years. âReportâ: For elimination of crimes from the country as well as to counter terrorism, police is playing its role shoulder to shoulder to Pak-Army. In order to enhance the skills of police and enable it to deal with war like situation effectively, around 105 police officials and cops of Malakand Division are receiving special training from Army on modern techniques. A policeman shared his views in this regard as under: Police: âMy name is Muhammad Rahman, I belong to Swat district. Normally after recruitment we receive basic course in police center, but it is for the first time, Army is giving us training on modern methods that include use of weapons and other tricks and techniquesâ. Police 2: âI belong to Lower Dir district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Police has heavy weapons like mortar shells, rockets and other arms, but it doesnât know how to utilize them. Soldiers taught us the use of these heavy weapons against the enemies of state. The training lasted for four days and we were involved in lot of practical exercises. After attending training, we are in position to response to any emergency like trouble and riotâ. Police 3: âMr. Jabar from Lower Dir. The training is conducted in Karya area, we learned how to fire mortar, grenade, 12.7 arm and other heavy weapons. It was an excellent learning experienceâ. Reporter: Police inspector Hasan Khan said they received modern training that will help us to crush militants operating inside the country. Inspector: âJawans from various districts of the province including Swat, Dir, Buner, Chitral and other parts took part in the exercise. The personal of Army taught us how to repulse militantâs attack by holding position, how to raid terrorists and how to overcome militancy in the region etc. After attending training, the police are prepared to response actively to any kind of situation. We will help Pak Army in rooting out the ongoing militancy. I hope if Army leaves Malakand Agency, yet peace would remain restore in the region, due to efficiency of policeâ. Reporter: Around 1600 policemen of the province have trained while others will also be given a similar training. DIG Malakand, Mr. Abdullah Khan remarked in this regard. DIG: âIt was a specialized training that will probably extend to other districts of the province as well. We share good relationship with the Army and Army is not only helping us in capacity building of police, but in normal operations as well. We have same mission to provide protection to the lives and property of the citizens. Army left Buner and Shanglah districts however yet law and order is well-maintained in these regions. People are requested to cooperate with the security forces in overcoming insurgency and upholding of peaceâ. Abdul Ghafor caller 2: I belong to Shah Kas, Khyber Agency, I would like to bring an important issue into the notice of Peshawar district administration that our area is situated close to Hayatabad, Peshawar where we have also enrolled our children in schools. Unfortunately all routes that connect Shah Kas with Hayatabad have been closed by the government, due to unknown reason closing the door of education for our children. Sometimes I feel tribal people are like Philistines, who are being oppressed, attacked and denied from human rights by Israel. Abdul Razaq: Poor state of law and order forced the government to take security measures that often create problems for the citizens. Peshawar Development Authority built boundary wall in Hayatabad close to Shah Kas area of Khyber Agency to stop movement of suspected persons to settled areas. As far as police training is concerned, besides capacity building, police force needs to be equipped with modern weapons and detect devices so as they may determine the existence and presence of explosives in cars and vehicles, which is later used in different acts of terrorism. Caller 2: Training is necessary for capacity building of police force, but despite these endeavors peace is unattainable in the region. The example of Fata is before us, apart from Army, we have much stronger force than police in Fata, yet peace is absent there. My question is that in case the jurisdiction of Supreme Court extends to tribal regions, will it able to solve all issues of clans in presence of strong stakeholders of Fata? Since they have a strong hold in Fata and thus will never allow anybody to end present status quo in tribal regions. Abdul Razaq: First of all let to extend the jurisdiction of apex courts to tribal regions, then we will see what happens. No doubt it will take time to bring real change in Fata, but slowly and gradually things will change if people will have access to justice. âReportâ: The inhabitants of North Waziristan have to visit adjoining district Bannu for preparation of their passport, national identity card and license and to meet their other needs. Similarly serious patients are also moved to the district for treatment. The residents are already facing multiple problems in shape of trouble and riot in their region, but on the other hand, they are annoyed with harsh behavior of Bannu police as well. Waziristan inhabitant: âMy name is Amjad, I belong to Mir Ali. Bannu police behave with us like second citizen, which is intolerable. Despite showing NIC and other documents, the police misbehave us and demand for money; in case we deny from giving money, they arrest us. My many friends have been detained in past and then released after paying bribe. It mistreats us because of our tribal identityâ. Reporter: Another dweller Rahman was of the view that for having beard and long hair, police tease him. Inhabitant 2: âMost of the youth of Waziristan are enrolled in schools and Colleges of Bannu district, thus police harass them by different ways and their intention becomes to take money from them. Similarly Waziristan other inhabitants come to Bannu for judicial complex and for making identity cards etc. We face problems on police check points and during travelingâ. Reporter: The drivers of Waziristan are also teased by police. Mr. Zarin a driver of coach said their passenger vans are stopped for no mistake and fined upto 600 rupees. Driver: âI drive van from Miran Shah to Bannu, normally for traffic violation, you are fined upto Rs. 200, but unlike other citizens, we are fined heavily for dropping passengers on the wr