Shinwari tribal headsmen honor tribal pact

 NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan– A clause in the historic Shinwari Jirga tribal pact signed by Maliks, or tribal headsmen, representing more than 170 villages at the Shinwar district headquarters of the 6th Kandak Afghan Border Police, Jan. 21, imposes severe consequences for those giving safe harbor to Taliban or anti-Afghan forces . 

As a show of faith and adherence to the pact, the Shinwari Jirga, or council, delivered a high value individual to their coalition force partners at Camp Hughie, Feb. 9, escorted by 6th Kandak ABP officers and the commander, Afghan Colonel Mohammed Niazy D.

The HVI, Qari Rahmat, was visibly nervous and subdued as he was introduced to the commander of the Georgia Army National Guard’s 1st Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiment, Lt. Col. Randall V. Simmons, Jr. 

Rahmat is one of the top ranking operatives within the 1-108th, Task Force Rough Rider area of operation.  The desire to apprehend the self-described ‘simple man’ predates the Rough Rider’s mission in Nangarhar.

“Qari Rahmat has been a person of interest to the military for quite some time,” Simmons stated.  “We (Afghan and coalition) had several options for apprehending him, but we also wanted to be respectful of the village community where he based his operation.” 

Four days prior to his being delivered to Forward Operating Base Hughie, in the presence of the jirga, Rahmat signed a tribal proclamation denouncing the Taliban and any narcotic related activity.  In exchange for his promise to cease Insurgent activity Rahmat will be given a clean slate to peacefully reintegrate with his community and an opportunity to assist the Afghan government with introducing others to the reconciliation process.

“Reconciliation is an Afghan government initiative but it is also a tribal responsibility and gives the Shinwari jirga and the Afghan government a unified focus,” Simmons said.

Task Force Rough Rider’s role is to act as a bridge facilitating reintegration and allows President Hamid Karzai’s reconciliation initiative to work in concert with Afghanistan’s tribal tradition of governance. 

The Pashtunwali way, a pre-Islamic honor code practiced by Pashtun tribesman in Afghansitan and Pakistan, is to find a peaceful solution for conflict and the reconciliation process is designed to honor that tradition.

The Shinwaris have a cross-border tribal connection and within the next few weeks work will begin to unite the tribes living on the other side of the border regions.

The next step in Rahmat’s reconciliation: the Shinwari Tribe will present Rahmat to Nangarhar Province Governor Sherzai and the Peace and Development Council.  

Mullah Imuddin Hashimi accompanied Rahmat to provide religious and spiritual support. He has faith that the process of reconciliation will bring peace. 

Hashimi thanked the Rough Rider squadron for giving the mountain border villagers hope and a chance to earn an honest living through community managed cash-for-work programs.

“The seed you have planted will grow and give shade bearing fruit.  As long as we continue to nurture it the leaves will never turn and you will enjoy the apples from this tree even in the United States.”