Daily Times

PESHAWAR: Following protest by Kokikhel tribesmen, the Peshawar Development Authority (PDA) stopped development work on disputed land in the Regi Lalma Township on Saturday.

Dozens of Kokikhel tribesmen Saturday took to streets in Ghundi area of Jamrud tehsil to record their protest against the PDA for starting development work on disputed land. Member of the National Assembly Shah Jee Gul Afridi and tribal elders Malik Naseer Ahmad Kokikhel, Malik Haji Yousaf and others were leading the protest demonstration. Large number of elders and youth participated in the rally.

The tribesmen expressed resentment over starting of developmental work in Sector-II of the township claiming that the peace of land belonged to the people of Kokikhel tribe and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government had illegally occupied it.

They further said that the PDA had violated the mutual agreement reached with the tribesmen by starting developmental work on the disputed part of the land. “Since the matter is pending in a court, starting work on it is tantamount to contempt of court,” a tribal elder told.

“We are here to protest over the developmental work on our land. We will force the PDA to stop the work,” the tribesman maintained. “As per the 1912 award, this land is the property of the Kokikhel tribe and the government will have to run over our dead bodies if it wants to develop the Regi Model Town,” added the tribesman.

Meanwhile, officials of the PDA held conclusive negotiations with the protesting tribesmen following which the authorities stopped development work on the land. The protesters dispersed peacefully after the work was halted.