By Ashrafuddin Pirzada
KHYBER: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister on Sunday announced major relief, rights and mobilization measures for Tirah’s displaced residents during the Khyber peace jirga gathering.
Addressing the Khyber peace jirga held at Jamrud sports ground in Khyber district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi made three major announcements regarding the situation in Tirah valley, which were unanimously endorsed by thousands of participants.
The chief minister stated that the displacement of Tirah residents was not voluntary but carried out under a forced and organized plan, which the provincial government does not accept. He assured that the provincial government stands firmly with the affected people and would utilize all available resources for their relief, rehabilitation and protection. He said that if expenditures rise beyond Rs4 billion, to as much as Rs100 billion if required would be arranged.
He further announced that separate jirgas would be held across all merged tribal districts to protect the constitutional and fundamental rights of tribal communities. Following these gatherings, a grand provincial jirga would be convened to announce a peaceful march to Islamabad to demand tribal rights.
Condemning recent terrorist incidents in Balochistan, the chief minister reiterated that the provincial government opposes all forms of terrorism. He criticized the federal government for failing to fulfill commitments made during previous displacement crises, adding that the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would now organize their own struggle for rights.
The chief minister confirmed that Rs4 billion had already been released on an emergency basis for Tirah’s displaced population, with the possibility of increasing funds if needed. He also appealed to overseas Pakistanis and Pashtuns to contribute to the provincial relief fund, for which a dedicated account will be established.
He informed the jirga that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had invited him for a meeting on Monday, where he would present the case of tribal communities.
Leaders, including provincial minister Meena Khan Afridi, MPA and DEDAC Chairman Khyber Abdul Ghani Afridi, MNA Iqbal Afridi, MPA Allama Muhammad Adnan Qadri, and others, also addressed the gathering, expressing solidarity with Tirah residents.
Tirah Political Alliance president Zahid Khan Afridi said displaced families are facing severe hardships, adding that nearly 70 percent of affected individuals remain unregistered, demanding an urgent resolution.
The jirga concluded with a unanimous decision to hold district-level jirgas across tribal districts before organizing a grand provincial jirga to formally announce the date for an Islamabad march.
