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KP Peace Jirga Urges Federal Govt to Hold Talks with Afghanistan, Prioritise Lasting Peace
The KP peace jirga has urged Islamabad to open talks with Afghanistan and take the provincial govt on board over Afghan policy. Leaders from all parties demanded unity, peace forums, and an end to past “good Taliban, bad Taliban” policies.
MH
by Muhammad Hashir
2025-11-12
KP Peace Jirga Urges Federal Govt to Hold Talks with Afghanistan, Prioritise Lasting Peace

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) peace jirga on Wednesday unanimously urged the federal government to prioritise diplomatic engagement with Afghanistan and ensure consultation with the provincial government in all Afghan-related policymaking.

The jirga, convened by the KP government at the provincial assembly, brought together a wide range of stakeholders — including former governors and chief ministers, lawmakers, political party representatives, tribal elders, business leaders, lawyers, and members of civil society — to deliberate on the province’s deteriorating law and order situation.

The gathering, chaired by KP Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, aimed to develop a unified strategy for restoring peace and stability in the province. Participants submitted written suggestions and voiced their views during an extensive debate, stressing that dialogue with the Afghan Taliban regime, inter-governmental coordination, and inclusive policymaking were key to sustainable peace.

After hours of discussion, the jirga issued a joint declaration condemning terrorism in KP — particularly in the merged districts — and called on the provincial government to use all available resources to eradicate militancy. The declaration demanded an in-camera briefing for lawmakers on ongoing security operations and the immediate implementation of KP Assembly resolutions related to peace.

Among other recommendations were the creation of “peace forums” involving youth, women, minorities, and political figures; linking the Provincial Finance Commission with the National Finance Commission (NFC) for fiscal stability; and ensuring KP receives its due rights, including Net Hydel Profit, excise duties on oil, water share, and NFC allocations for the merged districts.

CM Afridi Calls for Policy Shift

Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, addressing the jirga, urged a complete shift in the Centre’s counterterrorism approach by including all stakeholders in decision-making. “Terrorism has been eating away at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for over 20 years. We need a permanent solution that eliminates it once and for all,” Afridi said.

He criticised the practice of making security decisions “behind closed doors,” asserting that true peace could only emerge from collective wisdom. “Our politics may differ, but our peace is shared,” he remarked, acknowledging the sacrifices of the armed forces, police, and citizens in fighting militancy.

Governor Kundi Urges Unity Beyond Politics

Governor Faisal Karim Kundi hailed the jirga as an “excellent move” promoting unity and inclusiveness. He called for forming a parliamentary committee of all political parties to continue dialogue and reduce divisions. “We must think of our province’s future and not dwell on the past,” Kundi said, adding that KP lacked sufficient resources to confront militants equipped with modern weapons.

Calls for Diplomacy and End to Double Standards

PTI senior leader and former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser stressed that Pakistan and Afghanistan “cannot survive without each other” and urged diplomatic engagement through official channels. ANP leader Mian Iftikhar Hussain demanded an end to the “good Taliban, bad Taliban” distinction, urging full implementation of the National Action Plan. “Peace cannot be imposed; it must be built through trust, justice, and dialogue,” he said.

Former CM Mehmood Khan of PTI-Parliamentarians questioned the outcome of previous peace jirgas and called for sustained engagement with “key stakeholders” to secure KP’s constitutional and financial rights.

‘Peace Above Politics’

Opposition leader Ibadullah Khan of the PML-N and other party heads, including PPP’s Ahmad Karim Kundi, echoed the message of unity. “Terrorism is our number one issue — there should be no pardon for those who murdered our children,” Ibadullah said.

Participants from the ANP, JUI-F, JI, PPP, and PkMAP all supported renewed efforts for dialogue, inclusion, and peace in KP, marking the first time a peace jirga of this scale was held within the provincial assembly.

The jirga was convened amid a wave of recent terror incidents across the country — including attacks in Dera Ismail Khan, Wana, and a deadly blast in Islamabad that killed 12 people — highlighting the urgency of coordinated and inclusive counterterrorism measures.
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