Peace talks in Pakistan's Bajaur stall again amid TTP standoff

Efforts to broker peace in Pakistan’s northwestern Bajaur district have hit another roadblock.

The seventh round of talks between tribal elders and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ended without progress on Friday, as both sides failed to meet each other’s demands.

Haroonur Rashid, head of the Bajaur Peace Jirga, confirmed the deadlock. But he insisted that dialogue – not military confrontation – is the only viable way forward.

“We have made it clear to both parties that war resolves nothing,” Rashid told reporters. “Our demand is simple: settle your differences through dialogue, not violence.”

Despite the lack of a breakthrough, Rashid said negotiations have helped prevent further military operations. “Both the security forces and the TTP have indicated a desire to avoid civilian casualties,” he added.

The jirga also called on the Afghan government to assist in finding a peaceful settlement.

The tribal delegation is set to meet the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Saturday. “Despite the current deadlock, we remain hopeful that continued dialogue can lead to a breakthrough,” Rashid said.

Demands unmet

According to Najeeb Ullah Mamund, another jirga member, tribal elders made two key demands to the TTP: vacate the area and return to Afghanistan, and refrain from attacking security forces.

The Taliban rejected the first demand. They conditionally accepted the second, agreeing not to launch attacks if the military also held fire.

According to sources, security officials have outlined three options for dealing with the militants, most of whom are believed to be Afghan nationals.

The preferred approach is for the militants to leave voluntarily. If they do not, locals will be asked to evacuate areas within 48 hours to allow for targeted operations.

If both fail, the military is ready to launch a full-scale counterterrorism offensive, with promises to avoid civilian harm.

Crops ordered cleared for security

In a separate move, authorities in Bajaur have directed farmers to clear all standing crops within 100 meters of major roads across all seven tehsils.

“Farmers must remove crops within the designated 100-meter buffer zone along roadways by August 10,” a district notification said. It warned of administrative action for non-compliance.

Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, advisor on information to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, said the military is prepared to resume operations if talks collapse.

The dialogue began after security forces launched an operation on July 29 in 16 villages of Mamund Tehsil.

The operation, which followed the imposition of a curfew, left three civilians dead and 11 injured. The violence sparked local resistance and prompted the start of direct negotiations.

A temporary ceasefire was reached within a day. Since then, seven rounds of talks have been held, but no major breakthrough has emerged.