Copyright dailytimes
Tribal elders and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf members of the National Assembly on Saturday categorically opposed any new military operation in the tribal districts in the ‘Grand Aman Jirga’, calling instead for dialogue, justice, and development to ensure lasting peace in the region. The Aman Jirga (peace assembly), held in Peshawar on Saturday, brought together elders from Bajaur, Khyber, and Waziristan, alongside PTI workers and community leaders carrying white flags inscribed with the message ‘Only Peace’. The jirga echoed a unified demand for stability through consultation and urged the federal government to respect the will of the people of the merged districts. Chief Minister Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi, addressing the jirga in Urdu, Punjabi, and Pashto, delivered a fiery speech rejecting any plans for renewed military operations in the region. “After 9/11, Pakistan became a battlefield of operations and drone strikes. The state made promises to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) that were never fulfilled. Now, preparations for another operation are underway – we will not allow this,” Afridi declared. He recalled that in 2018 tribal areas were decleared ‘cleared’, with Khyber in particular noted as clear. “They were, however, resettled despite our repeated warnings. We cannot be asked to make further sacrifices – do not trade our lives for dollars,” he said. Afridi urged the federal government to take both the provincial government and tribal representatives into confidence before making any decision regarding the merged districts. “This time, we will not be made scapegoats,” he warned. The chief minister also demanded an early meeting of the National Finance Commission (NFC) and allocation of Rs3.5 billion provincial funds. “Give us our due rights. We don’t want second-hand vehicles; we want our fair share,” he said, switching to Punjabi to add, “Saada haq ithe rakh (Give our right here).” Afridi concluded his address by announcing the convening of a Loya Aman Jirga (Grand Peace Assembly) soon to finalise the tribes’ collective stance on future peace and security strategies. Separately, Afridi on Saturday said that his government stands shoulder to shoulder with the police force in fight against terrorism. He said providing modern equipment, training, and resources to the police is the government’s top priority. The Chief Minister was addressing an important meeting of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s senior leadership held at the Chief Minister’s House, Peshawar. The meeting held a detailed discussion on the province’s law and order situation and expressed grief over the recent Hangu bomb blast and offered prayers for the martyred police personnel. It was decided to convene a Peace Jirga in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly. Former chief ministers, governors, religious scholars, tribal elders, civil society members, lawyers, and other prominent figures will be invited. The purpose of the peace Jirga is to formulate a joint strategy for the elimination of terrorism and the establishment of lasting peace. Participants paid tribute to the sacrifices of the police.
