K-P updates: holds grand peace jirga to address terrorism, security, development | The Express Tribune

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government on Wednesday convened a large-scale Peace Jirga at the provincial assembly to deliberate on restoring stability amid a resurgence of terrorism in the region.

The jirga is being held in two sessions. The first session began at 10am. and will continue until noon, followed by the second session after the Zuhr prayers.

Ali Asghar Khan said that each political party would be given a chance to speak, with a four-minute limit per address. Efforts are underway to reach a consensus on a joint resolution, with all recommendations to be incorporated into a formal declaration. Former MPA Shaukat Yousafzai and MPA Ahmed Karim Kundi are serving as moderators for the proceedings.

A collective prayer was offered for all martyrs of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, led by Maulana Lutfur Rahman, while MPA Ahmed Karim Kundi recited selected verses from Allama Iqbal in tribute.

Qaumi Watan Party Chief Aftab Sherpao said, “Without peace, there will be no development or investment. Many districts lack effective government control. Intelligence sharing must improve, and FATA lacks basic facilities. We will support efforts to secure provincial rights”.

Former JI Emir Sirajul-Haq called for continuity in diplomacy: “Political conflicts harm the people. A new jirga should engage Afghanistan, and K-P’s resources must be protected”.

ANP Provincial Chief Mian Iftikhar urged strict action against extremists: “Ban all extremist groups, strengthen provincial ownership of peace initiatives, and respect the NFC award and border management powers. Negotiation remains key”.

Former Chief Minister Mahmood Khan warned, “Previous jirgas issued declarations, but little was achieved. Peace is essential for development, and the police must be strengthened”.

They highlighted important issues: K-P has made over 80,000 sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, yet its 40% NFC share, including merged districts, remains unpaid.

Displaced families from North Waziristan await compensation of Rs17 billion, and Rs100 billion for merged areas remain unfulfilled. Participants called on the federal government to uphold provincial rights under the 18th Amendment and ensure proper resource management.

K-P Governor Faisal Karim Kundi called the gathering a “welcome step under one banner” and stressed the need for continuous dialogue due to Afghanistan’s impact on K-P.

K-P Chief Minister Sohail Afridi urged collective action, calling for a shift from short-term policies to a “once-for-all” approach. Leaders reiterated that K-P’s rightful share, including 19 per cent from merged tribal districts, has not been fully received despite over 80,000 sacrifices, and warned that war should remain a last resort with Afghanistan.

Former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser highlighted economic challenges caused by decades of conflict. “We have faced 40 years of war, terrorism, and jihad. What did we gain? A culture of Kalashnikovs and economic decline. Trade that once reached Afghanistan from Peshawar is now hampered. We must use diplomatic channels to prevent further deterioration,” he said.

JUI-F provincial chief Maulana Attaur-Rehman prayed for the success of the jirga and emphasized that “the peace of all provinces depends on K-P’s security. To bring lasting peace to the region, we must rise above political and personal differences”.

PML-N Additional Secretary General Zahid Khan reflected on past negotiations with militants, saying: “If the provincial government engages with the federal government, decisions will be transparent and inclusive. The Apex Committee must be restored, and closed-door decision-making must end”.

Speaker Babar Saleem Swati said participants gathered “beyond tribal and ethnic divisions” and noted that law and order had been debated in the assembly for two months. He highlighted ongoing operations in tribal areas since 2012 and the role of the province’s 33,000-strong police force. “Despite numerous operations, we have not achieved lasting peace. Our children and women continue to be martyred,” Swati said.

Opposition Leader Dr Obaidullah stressed that terrorism, not politics, is the core issue, urging the jirga to address both solutions and root causes.

PTI K-P President Junaid Akbar lauded leadership unity, criticised historical decisions like Pakistan’s 1976 Afghan war involvement, and highlighted that K-P’s martyrs deserve compensation. He also raised financial grievances, including unpaid NFC entitlements and lack of support for displaced North Waziristan families.

Special security arrangements were made around the assembly building, with entry restricted to participants holding official passes. Around 400 seats were arranged for guests, including representatives from 20 political parties, religious leaders, tribal elders, and parliamentarians.

The Peace Jirga’s declaration will later be presented to the federal government, security institutions, and the Apex Committee. K-P Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed issued directives to regional and district police officers to reassess security across the province after the recent wave of terrorist activity.

Orders were given to strengthen security at sensitive locations, judicial complexes, high courts, educational institutions, and police training centres, and to establish additional check posts at entry and exit points.

Read: Around 400 K-P political, civil leaders set to convene historic peace jirga today

The jirga includes participation from leading political, religious, and social figures. Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam leaders Maulana Attaur-Rehman and Senator Maulana Attaul-Haq are attending, alongside religious scholar Maulana Muhammad Tayyab PanjPir.

Journalists, including Hamid Mir and Imtiaz Gul, are also taking part. Former governors Engineer Shaukatullah, Shah Farman, Haji Ghulam Ali, and former speaker and MPA Karamatullah Chugharmatti are present, as well as National Assembly members Maulana Naseem Ali Shah, Amjad Ali, Shandana Gulzar, and Senator Rubina Naz.

K-P Governor and Chief Minister attended the session, personally greeting participants and the chief minister was presented with a guard of honour upon arrival.

Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah, Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Abid Majeed, and Senator Hidayatullah Khan are also participating.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) delegation includes former Senator Zahid Khan, former Minister Wajid Ali Khan, Zar Khan Safi, and Abdul Salam Khattak. Abdullah Shakir, son of the late religious scholar Mufti Munir Shakir, is also attending.

Speaker of the K-P Assembly Babar Saleem Swati, upon his arrival, was presented with a guard of honour. Speaking to the media, he said all invited political parties had agreed to participate in the jirga and expressed confidence that the peace initiative would be successful.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former Speaker Asad Qaiser emphasised that “peace stands above politics” and called for a unified national policy. He said that issues with Afghanistan should be addressed with patience and diplomacy, adding: “There can be no peace in Afghanistan without peace in Pakistan, and vice versa”.

Opposition Leader Obaidullah welcomed the initiative, saying this was the first time such a forum had been convened. He clarified, however, that “there can be no negotiations with terrorists,” stressing that those responsible for atrocities against civilians deserved no pardon.

Senior politician Junaid Akbar confirmed that all political parties had accepted the invitation, condemning recent violent incidents and hinting that “hidden hands” were behind them.

Prominent political figures, including Qaumi Watan Party leaders Aftab Sherpao and Sikandar Sherpao, former Chief Minister Mahmood Khan,also attended the session.

Adviser to the Chief Minister on Information, Shafi Jan, described the gathering as a “historic day” for the province, marking the first time that peace had been formally discussed from the platform of the provincial assembly. He said the recommendations from the jirga would be presented by the chief minister to key stakeholders for implementation.

Representatives from the Awami National Party (ANP), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), Jamaat-e-Islami, Qaumi Watan Party (QWP), and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) have confirmed participation, as have members of the bar councils and civil society organisations.

Shafiullah Jan described the jirga as “the largest peace conference in the province’s history,” saying it would mark a milestone for sustainable peace in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

“All political leaders, journalists and representatives of various schools of thought will participate in the jirga,” he said, adding that joint recommendations and proposals will be formulated to lay the foundation for enduring stability.