PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Shafiullah Jan has announced that the provincial government will host a peace jirga on November 12 at the KP Assembly to discuss the deteriorating law and order situation and ensure decisions are made through dialogue and mutual understanding.
Dialogue Over Conflict: KP Government’s Peace Initiative
Addressing a press conference in Peshawar, Shafiullah Jan stated that the provincial government firmly believes in resolving matters through dialogue rather than force. However, he clarified that Chief Minister Sohail Afridi holds the ultimate authority to make decisions aimed at achieving lasting peace in the province.
“The government has the people’s mandate to make decisions, and the chief minister will implement those decisions for peace,” the minister said. He emphasized that all stakeholders, including political parties and tribal elders, will be taken into confidence to ensure broad consensus on any security-related decision.
A United Front Against Insecurity
The upcoming jirga will be attended by representatives of all political parties, tribal leaders, and key government officials. The minister confirmed that the chief minister had personally invited political party heads to share their input. He described the event as a “historic jirga” where meaningful consultation would take place.
A 37-member parliamentary committee, headed by Speaker Babar Saleem Swati and including both government and opposition leaders, has already been formed to deliberate on security matters. The jirga will also coordinate with the Peshawar Corps Commander to finalize the terms of reference for future actions.
No to Military Operations, Yes to Peaceful Solutions
Shafiullah Jan reiterated the KP government’s strong opposition to military operations, stressing that such measures have only displaced local populations and deepened public suffering. “Our party stands against any military offensive in KP. The people have already paid the price through displacement and loss,” he asserted.
Lawmakers, including MNA Sher Ali Arbab and PTI’s Ali Asghar, echoed similar sentiments, urging that decisions should emerge from the provincial assembly, not behind closed doors. They emphasized the need for collective wisdom and long-term peace strategies to prevent further instability.
A Call for Collective Wisdom
Former minister Kamran Bangash praised the government’s approach, noting that Pakhtun tradition values jirgas as an effective means of conflict resolution. He expressed hope that the peace jirga would mark a turning point in restoring stability across the province.
