A grand jirga was convened at the Chief Minister's House in Peshawar under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Muhammad Sohail Afridi, to deliberate on a coordinated response to drone strikes and the prevailing security situation in the province. The participants undertook detailed consultations on formulating a joint strategy aimed at restoring peace and stability.
Discussion on Constitutional and Financial Rights
The jirga also engaged in substantive discussions on the constitutional and financial rights of the tribal districts and the province, reaching consensus on the development of a unified course of action to secure these rights. The gathering was attended by elected representatives from the tribal districts, senators, members of the opposition, religious scholars, and tribal elders.
Condemnation of Drone Strikes
The forum strongly deplored incidents of civilian casualties, including women, children, and the elderly, resulting from drone strikes. Participants collectively called for structured dialogue with all relevant stakeholders. In line with the jirga's recommendations, the Chief Minister announced that negotiations would be given another opportunity.
Concerns Over Treatment at Checkposts
The Chief Minister expressed serious concern over the mistreatment of jirga participants at checkposts, noting that such conduct fosters public resentment and undermines trust.
Formation of a Smaller Representative Jirga
Addressing the forum, the Chief Minister stated that, in line with the recommendations of the grand jirga, a smaller representative jirga would be constituted to engage with the federal government and other stakeholders. He further noted that in the event of unsuccessful negotiations, a march towards Islamabad would be considered, with participants committed to sustaining their efforts until peace is restored.
Measures to Prevent Drone Strikes
The Chief Minister stated that effective and immediate concrete measures will be undertaken to prevent drone strikes. He further stated that attempts by militant elements to re-enter Malakand were rejected by local communities, underscoring public resistance to instability. He cautioned that without unified public engagement in the tribal districts, the prospects for lasting peace would remain uncertain.
Withdrawal of Action in Aid of Civil Power Regulation
Referring to governance and legal concerns, the Chief Minister stated that the provincial cabinet had resolved, in its first meeting, to withdraw the Action in Aid of Civil Power regulation. The Chief Minister warned against efforts to provoke tribal youth towards confrontation, reaffirming their commitment to maintaining a peaceful and lawful approach. He stated that while the province remains committed to constitutional principles, it also reserves the right to defend itself against unlawful actions.
Fiscal Concerns
Highlighting fiscal concerns, the Chief Minister noted that at the time of the FATA merger, a commitment of Rs. 100 billion annually had been made. However, against an accumulated entitlement of approximately Rs. 800 billion, only Rs. 168 billion has been released to date. He further pointed out that with the inclusion of the merged districts' population, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's share in the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award would increase from 14.6 percent to approximately 19 percent, which has not been done since 2018. He clarified that the representative jirga, constituted in line with the recommendations of the grand jirga, would actively pursue these financial and constitutional rights alongside efforts to restore peace in the province.
