Friends and foes unite for 'peace' in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

A 'Grand Jirga' - a traditional assembly of leaders to make decisions by consensus - convened in Peshawar on Thursday to address Pakistan's surging terrorism crisis. The provinces of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) were rocked by over a thousand terrorism-related incidents in just the first six months of this year.

The meeting was chaired by PTI's KP Chief Minister (CM) Ali Amin Gandapur, alongside Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and PML-N's KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi. The gathering aimed to restore order in the province.

The gathering was surprising and welcome in the aftermath of recent tensions between the key participants.

Four days prior, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had publicly stated that Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur was evading police custody, with Islamabad police actively searching for him. This led to legal action by PTI lawyers seeking Gandapur's protection.

On the other hand, just a day ago, Gandapur had expressed strong reactions against recent events in Islamabad, criticizing the treatment of KP police and rescue personnel during a PTI protest. He had even warned of "strict action" against Islamabad authorities if evidence of violence against KP personnel was found.

The jirga included parliamentary leaders from all political parties in the KP provincial assembly. Gandapur assured attendees that all proposals and suggestions raised during the meeting would be carefully considered. He emphasized the event's non-political nature, stating, "We are participating in this jirga beyond political affiliations for the sake of establishing peace in the province."

KP CM to lead peace efforts

In a post on X, PTI's Barrister Saif said all political party leaders of the province were in complete agreement on establishing peace, and reposed confidence in CM Gandapur in leading efforts for it.

Speaking of the jirga, he said the "purpose of the consultation is to determine the future course of action".

Addressing the jirga, Gandapur said: “I am grateful to all the parliamentarians and political leaders for attending the Jirga upon my invitation. I also thank all the parliamentarians and political leaders for trusting me to lead this Jirga."

He added that rising above political affiliations, the leaders had gathered today for the sake of peace in the province. “Whether it is ordinary citizens or members of the forces, protecting their lives and property is our foremost responsibility and priority. I hope that through this Jirga, we will be successful in finding a peaceful solution to the issue at hand."

"The solution to any problem is not through confrontation or violence, but through dialogue. For this purpose, we have convened this Jirga today in accordance with Pashtun traditions. The opinions and suggestions of all political leaders participating in the Jirga will be fully respected."

Escalating security concerns in KP

The security situation in KP remains tense. A day ago, three people were killed and 15 injured during a clash between police and members of the recently banned Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM).

The PTM had planned a separate three-day jirga starting October 11 (tomorrow), gathering Pashtuns from across Pakistan and abroad to discuss challenges facing their community.

The clash erupted yesterday when a large police force arrived at the jirga venue where PTM members were setting up camps in preparation for tomorrow's gathering. Organizers claim the police used tear gas and fired into the air to disperse attendees.

This police action faced widespread condemnation in the KP provincial assembly. Lawmakers demanded a special committee to investigate why and under whose orders security forces fired on the ostensibly peaceful gathering. The Awami National Party decried the police action as "barbaric," criticizing authorities for attacking peaceful PTM jirga organizers.

Changing winds?

Initially, the government had taken a firm stance against allowing the PTM to hold its jirga. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had stated that the government would not permit a parallel judicial system, expressing concerns about the scale and nature of the planned gathering.

However, the situation appears to have shifted following today's meeting led by the KP Chief Minister.

National Democratic Movement (NDM) general secretary and former PTM leader Mohsin Dawar reported the breakthrough on X (formerly known as Twitter), stating, "We demanded from all the political parties in the meeting to allow PTM's Jarga to be held. Our demand has been accepted and the federal and provincial govts will allow the Jarga tomorrow."

This development marks a significant change in the government's position, potentially opening the way for dialogue and peaceful assembly. However, it remains unclear how such an agreement could be reached without a shift in Interior Minister Naqvi's previously stated stance against PTM's gathering. The details of any compromise or change in official policy have not been made public.

Meanwhile, the KP government has imposed a ban on public employees attending PTM events, reaffirming its commitment to enforcing the federal government's decision to outlaw the group. This move follows Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s warning that severe measures would be taken against anyone found supporting or facilitating the banned PTM.

PTM ban and terrorism allegations

Four days ago, Pakistan’s Interior Ministry banned the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM), a prominent Pashtun rights group, declaring it a “proscribed organization”.

The ministry cited activities it said were harmful to the country’s peace and security, although no specific actions were named.

Founding Editor of The Khorasan Diary - a digital platform covering terrorism and militancy in Pakistan and Afghanistan region - Iftikhar Firdous told Nukta that the Pakistani state has accused the PTM "of being involved in anti-state activities while simultaneously involved in foreign funding transaction to run its activity, although the interior ministry of the country has not stated any particular reason."

The PTM, founded in 2014, has campaigned against alleged extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances of Pashtuns, particularly in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The movement has repeatedly blamed the military for human rights abuses against its members, claims the military has consistently denied.