PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Monday called for forming a jirga to hold negotiations with Afghanistan for ending terrorism and unrest in the country and establishing peace.
The House demanded representation of all political parties and tribal elders in the jirga, holding dialogue sessions in Islamabad and Kabul, and implementing the points agreed upon in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Peace Jirga.
Government lawmakers termed the ban on meeting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan an insult to the people of the province, saying his release was essential for lasting peace in the country and the region.
The session of the KP Assembly was held with Speaker Babar Saleem Swati in the chair. On the speaker’s directive, prayers were offered for the souls of those martyred in recent incidents of terrorism in the province.
Opening the debate, Abdul Salam Khan said the country was under a system of oppression, noting that despite court orders, a ban on meeting Imran Khan continued. The legislator said the PTI founder’s sisters and elected representatives from KP were subjected to violence outside Adiala Jail. He demanded action against police personnel who mistreated elected representatives and ministers.
Speaker Babar Saleem Swati said the House had debated the law and order situation for two months and formed a parliamentary committee that received briefings from relevant institutions before convening the Peace Jirga.
The jirga issued a 15-point declaration which, he said, reflected the voice of the province. He added that the treatment being meted out to the chief minister of a province of 50 million people was intolerable. He urged opposition members to convey to the federal government that it was widening the divide.
Opposition Leader Dr Ibad said tensions between the provincial and federal governments were a major cause of unrest in KP, which was why all leaders at the Peace Jirga stressed the need to reduce this friction. He suggested that the chief minister be allowed to meet Imran Khan.
“We stand with the provincial government on matters related to the province’s interests, resources, and rights,” he added and stressed that the chief minister should actively represent KP at relevant forums.
Humayun Khan said Imran Khan was their leader and alive in jail, therefore his guidance was essential for running the government and party affairs. He said the chief minister must be allowed to meet him.
Ajmal Khan called for full implementation of the Peace Jirga’s recommendations. He demanded negotiations with Afghanistan and representation of the province’s political leadership and tribal elders in the dialogue process.
The lawmaker proposed holding different rounds of talks in Kabul and Islamabad. “We will convey our concerns to them and listen to theirs. We will tell them that only Pakistan can play the most important role in Afghanistan’s development,” he added. Ajmal Khan said Imran Khan was the country’s most important leader but had been isolated, and that court orders were being violated. His cases, he said, were political. “For peace and stability in the region, Imran Khan’s release is essential. The state should show mercy and release him, ” he added.
Malik Liaqat and Kareem Khan also called for adopting the path of negotiations with Afghanistan for peace and forming a jirga, including the province’s political leadership and former chief ministers.
