By Ashrafuddin Pirzada
LANDIKOTAL: A grand jirga and joint consultative meeting of tribal elders, political leaders and elected local government representatives was held on Thursday at the Bara Tehsil Municipal Complex to address the worsening security situation in the Tirah Valley.
The meeting was chaired by the tehsil Ameer Mufti Kafeel Afridi.
The jirga brought together leaders from various political parties and social organizations.
ANP Bara president Abdul Wahid, Malik Muhammad Hussain, PPP’s Wilayat and Dr. Sher Shah, PML-N’s Zahir Shah and Asghar Khan, Khyber Union leaders Murad Saqi, Hashim Khan, and Bazar Gul, PTI’s Zahidullah, Pakistan Awami Inqilabi League president Malik Attaullah, JI’s Khan Wali and Ikhtiar Badshah, as well as JUI’s Mufti Kafeel and Maulana Mustaqim Haqqani, attended the Jirga.
Participants expressed deep concern over the ongoing military operations and terrorist activities in the Tirah valley. They said the situation in Tirah has made life increasingly difficult for residents.
“We are peaceful and patriotic people, but for years, the people of Tirah have been caught between the crossfire of security forces and militants,” the speakers said. They emphasized the importance of unity and solidarity among the local population to address the challenges collectively.
The jirga members noted that continuous crossfire has resulted in the deaths and injuries of hundreds of innocent civilians, including women and children.
“The tribesmen have rendered great sacrifices for peace and want the government to restore law and order in the region,” they added.
In a concluding statement, Mufti Kafeel Afridi announced that a representative delegation would visit all Afridi tribes in the next two days to build consensus on the way forward. He said a larger grand jirga would soon be held at an accessible location, with participation from local elders, landowners, social activists and all relevant stakeholders.
Following this upcoming jirga, a delegation would also be formed to visit the Tirah valley, consult with local elders, review the ground situation and develop recommendations for lasting
