Utmankhel tribe pledges to unite tribesmen

F.P. Report

TIMERGARA: The Utmankhel tribe of Pakhtun on Monday announced to fully support security forces and other line agencies in their effort to maintain peace and order in the region.

The tribesmen pledged this during the 9th foundation day observance of the Qaum Utmankhel Lower Dir organization. A function in this regard was held at Timergara with Utmankhel organization president Haji Bahadar Khan in the chair. The Utmankhel tribesmen from Lower Dir, Upper Dir, Bajaur Agency and Malakand agency attended the function.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa minister for finance Muzafar Syed, Lower Dir president of the Qaum Utmankhel Haji Bahadar Khan, former MNA from Malakand agency Haji Muhammad Khan, general secretary advocate Fazal Malik, Vice president Sher Muhammad, Jan Muhammad and others addressed the function.

They said that Utmankhel was the largest tribe of Pukhtun living in parts of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fata but due to its disunity the tribe was subjected to other tribes. The speakers said that Qaum Utmankhel Tanzeem was a non-political, non-violent and impartial organization that aimed only to unite the scattered Utmankhel on a single platform.

They said that their tribe had rendered matchless sacrifices in fighting against the British before partition and against the Indian army in 1948 ‘jehad e Kashmir’. “We are warriors and will fight against the enemies of Islam and Pakistan side by side with the Pakistan army,” Haji Bahadar Khan said, adding they had no intentions against other tribes and nationalities but wanted only to unite all Utmankhel.

He said the tribe had decided to form such organization in other districts of the province and Fata. The tribe announced to celebrate its foundation day each year on Jan, 1.