PESHAWAR: No good has come of the pledge by the governor of Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province (NWFP) to halt broadcasts of illegal FM radio channels in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan, creating a stir.

No action has been taken against those operating illegal FM radio channels in Khyber Agency - the two religious Pir and Mufti groups who continue to deliver religious sermons from their home-made stations, a potent threat to the peace of the whole agency.

It is equally a matter of concern that both the rival groups, despite being banned by the political administration, succeeded in holding mammoth public meetings in Bara, the business hub in Khyber Agency.

In their meetings, in which thousands of armed supporters of the two leaders participated, the leaders of two different religious schools of thought - Mufti Munir Shakir representing Deobandi group and Pir Saifur Rehman pursuing Ahle Sunnah (Pir group)- gave ultimatums to each other to vacate the agency or face the consequences.

The situation is tense in the whole of Khyber Agency and the ongoing developments are signalling towards a dreadful end because in the past Mufti and Pir used to malign each other through their channels but now they have come to streets and bazaars to seek the support of the common man.

Independent observers and the local intelligentsia are worried about the developments, as they fear if the government, through political administration, didn’t interfere, the differences between the two groups could lead to bloodshed.

The educated class are accusing political administration of having remained silent over the impending clash between the two rival groups. They believe that the local administration is pursuing the policy of divide-and-rule so that ordinary tribals won’t raise their voice against their injustices.

Expressing his views on the situation, ANP leader and renowned advocate who also hails from Khyber Agency, Abdul Latif Afridi said he was unable to understand as to why these religious groups had been allowed to operate their illegal FMs in the agency.

About their religious sermons, he said he was not ready to believe that a typical Mulla could deliver something fruitful because these people had their vested interests and were busy promoting religious extremism.

“It is the responsibility of the government to close down their FM channels and stop those misleading ordinary people,” he remarked.

Coming down hard on the political administration, he said it was an established fact that agencies and local administration had their hand in the creation of the prevailing crisis because they wanted to ruin the peace in tribal areas.

“I have talked to the governor, interior minister and heads of various agencies about the situation in Khyber Agency but it seems as if they have no ear to listen,” Latif revealed.

Asked about the role of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority, he said PEMRA had no influence or jurisdiction in tribal areas, therefore, they could not be held responsible for the present situation, adding governor and political administration could play their role in this regard but so far they had adopted silence over the deteriorating law and order situation in the agency.

“Since FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) falls under the direct jurisdiction of federal government, therefore, centre is responsible to maintain peace and calm in the agency,” he remarked.

Another dweller of the agency, requesting anonymity, said in the beginning people were benefiting from these FM radio stations as the religious scholars used to deliver lectures on religious topics.

However, he added, during the past few months the two main rivals, Mufti and Pir groups, started venomous propaganda against the religious thoughts of each other due to which problems engulfed the whole of Khyber Agency.

He added Mufti Munir had accused Pir Saifur Rehman of spoiling the beliefs of people by enticing them towards vice while Saifur Rehman was accusing Mufti of disrespecting religious scholars.

He further said both Mufti and Pir were alien in the area as Munir had migrated from district Karak and was provided shelter by Malik Dinkhel tribe while Pir Saifur Rehman came from Afghanistan and was accommodated by Sipah tribe, adding now both were creating problem for the whole of the agency.

It merits a mention here that about four months ago eight FM radio stations were operating in Khyber Agency of which only three were functioning presently, one each in Malikdinkhel, Kamarkhel and Qambarkhel.

A few days ago, FATA secretariat issued instructions to close down all the FMs in the agency but the administration is yet to implement the orders. - Internews