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PTM’s Pashtun Qaumi Jirga Kicks Off Amid Chaos and Confusion
The Pashtun Qaumi Jirga organized by PTM kicked off in Khyber but faced chaotic arrangements, confusion, and absent key leaders, leaving attendees struggling with poor facilities.
ND
by News Desk
2024-10-12
PTM’s Pashtun Qaumi Jirga Kicks Off Amid Chaos and Confusion

The first day of the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement’s (PTM) much-anticipated Pashtun Qaumi Jirga commenced on Friday in Jamrud tehsil, Khyber, amidst disorganization and confusion, with thousands attending but many leaving disappointed by the event's poor planning.

 

The three-day jirga, meant to address the grievances of the Pashtun community, saw its opening day unfold without significant disturbances, despite prior concerns following police actions and a federal ban on the movement. Organizers had to make last-minute arrangements after securing an "agreement" with the provincial government late Thursday, which allowed the event to proceed but with restrictions. According to the agreement, no foreign flags could be hoisted, and no slogans against the state or the Army were permitted.

 

The provincial government, represented by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, assured the PTM that the demands raised during the jirga would be relayed to the federal government, prioritizing peace restoration in the province. However, despite this agreement, participants quickly voiced frustration over the inadequate facilities and lack of proper organization.

 

Attendees from across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and parts of Balochistan found themselves without the tents and amenities promised by the provincial government, which had committed to providing 5,000 tents, sound systems, and uninterrupted electricity. By the end of the first day, many of these promises remained unfulfilled, leaving attendees, including relatives of missing persons and displaced families, without proper shelter or facilities.

 

Khiyal Mat Shah, a local resident, described the scene as chaotic. “Most participants were unaware of the actual purpose of the event, with many just observing without clear guidance or information,” he said. The venue itself, located far from the main Peshawar-Torkham Highway, was difficult for many to find, adding to the confusion.

 

The absence of key PTM leadership, including Manzoor Pashteen, further dampened the mood. Delegates from remote areas complained of being left without guidance or seating arrangements. Volunteers from the PTM, who were responsible for organizing the event, appeared overwhelmed by the unexpected turnout, with many openly admitting they were unsure of how to handle the situation.

 

Sajid Ali, a young participant, criticized the poor sound system and the lack of enclosures for various delegations. Political representatives and leaders, such as the ANP’s Mian Iftikhar Hussain and NDM’s Afrasiab Khattak, held their own corner meetings to pass the time.

 

Despite the frustrations, local vendors who set up food and drink stalls found the day profitable, benefiting from the large crowds. The next two days of the jirga are expected to see even larger turnouts, but much will depend on whether the organizers can improve the event's arrangements.

 

The first day of the jirga may have been marred by disorder, but participants remain hopeful that the remaining days will address the pressing issues facing the Pashtun community, particularly regarding missing persons and displaced families awaiting compensation.

 
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