Grand jirga rejects new military operation, calls for dialogue and peace

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.

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“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.

Speaking at the gathering, tribal elder Malik Khan Marjan said, terrorism could only be defeated through dialogue rather than military action. “All tribes stand with the chief minister. Decisions regarding the tribal areas will be made by the tribal jirga itself,” he declared, adding that elders were ready to engage with the provincial and federal governments, as well as the armed forces, under the leadership of CM Afridi.

MPA Abdul Ghani said Afridi’s appointment marked a moment of pride for the region. “After 77 years, a tribal son has once again donned the turban of the chief minister,” he remarked, calling it a symbolic return of tribal representation.

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Senator Noorul Haq Qadri used the platform to warn against provoking neighbouring Afghanistan, saying instability across the border could reignite terrorism in the tribal belt. “If Afghanistan is disturbed again, terrorism will return to the tribal areas,” he cautioned.

Qadri also criticised PML-N leader and Information Minister Atta Tarar, accusing him of disrespecting the tribal community and attempting to obstruct Afridi’s election as chief minister. “A time will come when we will respond to Atta Tarar,” he warned.