By Ashrafuddin Pirzada
KHYBER: In the wake of ongoing tensions and deteriorating security in the Tirah Valley of Khyber District, residents of Maidan held a grand jirga on Wednesday, declaring that no dialogue, negotiations or decisions regarding the region would be accepted without proper representation from the people of Tirah Maidan.
The jirga, attended by tribal elders, civil society members and youth representatives, issued a unanimous resolution stating that any talks or settlements conducted with any individual or party concerning Tirah Maidan would be considered invalid unless the people of Maidan are included in the process.
One of the speakers at the jirga emphasized, “We will never leave our ancestral land under any pressure. We are not willing to abandon our homes or properties at any cost.” The firm stance reflects deep-rooted concerns among locals about the possibility of displacement if negotiations are conducted without their consent.
Tirah Valley, situated near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, has long been a hotspot of militancy, tribal resistance and military operations. Over the past two decades, the region has witnessed waves of conflict involving militant groups, notably the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), leading to large-scale displacements and destruction of infrastructure.
In recent weeks, renewed fears have gripped the area following multiple fatal incidents, including the killing of civilians and violent crackdowns. This has sparked a series of protests and tribal mobilizations, with residents demanding peace and rejecting any form of forced migration.
Earlier, notable jirgas between tribal elders and the banned TTP were held in the valley, including one involving the Bar Qamberkhel tribe, where militants accepted certain demands. However, Maidan residents now express apprehension that separate dialogues may lead to unilateral decisions, compromising their security and autonomy.
The jirga concluded with a strong message to all stakeholders, whether governmental or non-state actors, that Tirah’s peace and future cannot be decided in closed-door talks or without the will of its people.
