ISLAMABAD: A tribal jirga (council of elders) in Pakistan’s Tank district has threatened to dam a stretch of Indus Freeway on July 29 after the killing of a nine-year-old lady sparked public outrage. Convened in Tank’s Gul Imam on Saturday, the jirga issued an 11-point constitution of calls for, caution of a complete blockade if government fail to reply.Indus Freeway (N-55) is a crucial nationwide artery that runs alongside the river, connecting Karachi in Pakistan’s south with Peshawar within the north and slicing thru more than one provinces. The deliberate blockade at Pezu will affect industry routes, passenger delivery, and army convoys.The protests received momentum after a viral video confirmed citizens confronting armed safety team of workers — an ordinary act on this militarised stretch of southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The pictures amplified long-standing anger over arbitrary detentions, raids with out warrants, and what locals name collective punishment disguised as counterterrorism.“Our resolution to dam the freeway stays. If our calls for are permitted, we’ll rethink. If no longer, Pezu will probably be close down on July 29,” jirga chief Abdul Qayum Kundi stated.Police have registered a case within the lady’s loss of life, however government have not begun to reveal any findings. Locals allege misconduct or negligence by means of safety forces—claims that stay unverified however broadly believed inside the group.In a bid to defuse tensions, native officers delivered 3 sheep and (Pak) Rs 2.5 million (round $9,000) to the lady’s circle of relatives — an act rooted in tribal customized, supposed to symbolise regret and reconciliation. However jirga individuals view it as a token gesture. “That is hush cash in ceremonial shape,” stated one elder.The jirga’s calls for come with the discharge of detainees no longer confirmed to have militant ties, an finish to compelled space searches, and a halt to arrests of suspects’ relations. Additionally they name for the go back of confiscated guns and an finish to detentions in response to obscure accusations of mukhbiri (spying).The jirga’s calls for echo the ones of the banned Pashtun Tahaffuz Motion (PTM), which for years challenged Pakistan’s safety insurance policies in its tribal belt.