By Ashrafuddin Pirzada
KHYBER: The banned militant group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan agrees to all five conditions of the Bar Qamberkhel tribesmen on Tuesday after a grand Jirga held in Bar Bagh area of Tirah valley, sources said.
In a breakthrough in Tirah Valley, peace talks between the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Bar Qamberkhel tribe concluded successfully, with the militant group accepting all five demands presented by the tribe. The agreement has sparked hopes for sustainable peace in the conflict-ridden Khyber district.
The second phase of the negotiations took place in the Bar Bagh area under the leadership of tribal elder Haji Zahir Shah Afridi.
A large number of tribal elders, religious scholars, madrassa and school students and residents attended the jirga.
According to sources, the first round of dialogue was held on July 28, during which the Bar Qamberkhel tribe presented five conditions to the TTP.
The TTP group sought time to consult its central leadership in Afghanistan before responding.
The Five Accepted Tribal Demands:
1. Peaceful Environment: No firing in public areas, homes, or guesthouses (hujras); violators will face consequences.
2. No Forced Donations: TTP members will not collect zakat, ushr, or any form of extortion by force.
3. No Interference in Disputes: The group will stay out of personal, communal, and tribal conflicts or jirgas.
4. Action Against Miscreants: Those defaming the tribe will face joint action with the tribal shura’s support.
5. Probe into Past Abuses: A list of victims of killings, torture, or abduction will be submitted for investigation; if found innocent, action will be taken against the perpetrators under Sharia.
Speaking on the occasion, Haji Zahir Shah Afridi said the success of the talks was the result of collective unity and determination. He urged the tribe to remain united for the sake of peace and stability, calling the agreement a victory for the entire community.
Though it is a ray of hope for peace the similar kinds of agreements had been held between TTP and government-backed jirga in the past but were later violated, experts said.
