PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi on Saturday cautioned that the prospects for lasting peace would remain uncertain without unified public engagement in the tribal districts.
The provincial government convened a Loya Jirga to deliberate on a coordinated response to the ongoing drone strikes and the prevailing security situation in the province.
The participants of the Loya Jirga, which took place at the Chief Minister’s House here, held consultations to formulate a joint strategy aimed at restoring peace and stability. 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.
The forum condemned civilian casualties, including women, children and the elderly, resulting from drone strikes. The 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. The chief minister expressed concern over the mistreatment of Jirga participants at security check-posts, noting that such conduct fosters public resentment and undermines trust.
Addressing the forum, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said that in line with the recommendations of Loya Jirga, a smaller representative jirga would be constituted to engage with the federal government and other stakeholders. He 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.
The chief minister stated that effective and immediate concrete measures would be undertaken to prevent drone strikes. He said that attempts by militants to re-enter Malakand were foiled by locals, underscoring public resistance to instability. He cautioned that without unified public engagement in the tribal districts, the prospects for lasting peace would remain uncertain.
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.
