By Ashrafuddin Pirzada
PESHAWAR: Following the All Parties Conference (APC) hosted by the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the provincial government has launched a series of regional consultative jirgas to promote peace and stability in the tribal districts.
The first such jirga was held on Saturday at the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar. It brought together tribal elders and elected representatives from Khyber and Orakzai districts as well as the tribal subdivisions of Darra Adamkhel and Hassankhel.
Around 150 tribal elders and notables participated in the jirga along with six members of the provincial assembly, three members of the National Assembly and Senator Dr Noorul Haq Qadri, who was the CM’s advisor on Information, Chief Secretary, Inspector General of Police and concerned commissioners and deputy commissioners also attended the Jirga.
Complete unity against terrorism was declared; participants vowed to support all efforts aimed at restoring peace.
The Jirga said any form of military operation or displacement of local populations was firmly rejected.
Development and peace were described as interlinked; once stability is achieved, development projects will be fast-tracked.
It was clarified that no individual or group has demanded, received, or will be given ownership or control of provincial resources, including minerals.
Tribal elders recommended that a joint jirga of the provincial government and tribal leaders be sent to Afghanistan for peace negotiations.
Full logistical, administrative and financial support was requested for this initiative.
The second regional jirga would cover Mohmand and Bajaur districts.
The third will include Upper and Lower South Waziristan.
The final regional jirga will be held for Kurram district.
After the completion of all regional jirgas, a grand Jirga will be convened under the leadership of the Chief Minister. Before this, influential tribal figures will be selected from each region to represent their respective communities and provide practical recommendations for restoring peace and order in the tribal belt.
