Peace Jirga’s statement will later be presented to the federal government, security institutions, apex committees
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Grand Peace Jirga has called for the establishment of the Provincial Finance Commission (PFC) to ensure equitable distribution of financial resources across the province. The jirga also called for strengthening the law enforcement agencies to counter the renewed wave of terrorism.
The jirga held at the KP Assembly on Wednesday brought together political, religious and social leaders from all major parties to deliberate on restoring peace and stability in the region. Special security measures were made in and around the assembly building.
Among those present were former Governors Engineer Shaukatullah, Shah Farman, Haji Ghulam Ali and former Speaker Karamatullah Chugharmatti; legislators Maulana Naseem Ali Shah, Amjad Ali, Shandana Gulzar and Senator Rubina Naz; and journalists Hamid Mir and Imtiaz Gul.
The jirga was held in two sessions. The first session began at 10:00 am and continued until noon which was then followed by the second session after the Zuhr prayer.
KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi termed the gathering a “welcome step under one banner” and stressed the importance of continued dialogue on Afghanistan’s direct impact on the province’s security.
Chief Minister Sohail Afridi called for collective action and a shift from short-term policies to a “once and for all” approach. Leaders reiterated that KP’s rightful share – including 19 percent from the merged tribal districts – had not been fully paid despite what they said were over 80,000 casualties in the war on terror. They warned that war with Afghanistan should remain a last resort.
A ten-point declaration, issued at the end of the jirga, emphasized the need to secure the constitutional, economic, political and administrative rights of the KP. It stated that the KP Peace and Development Party would continue its struggle for the protection and welfare of the population.
The statement called on the provincial government to fulfill its constitutional duty to protect citizens’ lives and property, and to further strengthen the police, Border Constabulary (FC), Revenue and Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) to improve peace and order.
It also required the provincial government to present its economic case effectively to the federation, asserting KP’s first right over its natural resources. The jirga called for increased development funding for merged districts and prioritization of projects in tourism, minerals, energy, education and health, while stressing transparency in revenue utilization.
Participants in the jirga also urged the government to defend KP’s stand in the National Finance Commission (NFC) on issues like net hydel profit, federal excise duty on oil, provincial water share, natural gas primacy under Article 158, population share of merged districts, implementation of the 11th NFC Award, Galiyat’s Article 151’s.
Concluding the declaration, the jirga decided that the rights of the people of KP would be raised and defended on every available platform. The statement was later presented to the federal government, security institutions and the Apex Committee.
Earlier, Maulana Lutfur Rahman led prayers for the martyrs of KP while MPA Ahmed Karim Kundi recited verses from Allama Iqbal’s poetry in tribute.
Qaumi Watan Party leader Aftab Sherpao said: “Without peace, there will be no development or investment. Many districts lack effective government control and FATA lacks basic facilities. Intelligence sharing must be improved. We will support efforts to secure provincial rights.”
Emphasizing the need for diplomacy, former Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Sirajul-Haq said, “Political conflicts harm people. KP’s resources must be protected.”
ANP provincial chief Mian Iftikhar called for firm action against extremism. “Ban all extremist groups, strengthen provincial ownership of peace initiatives, and respect the NFC award and border management powers. Negotiation remains a key focus,” he said.
Former Chief Minister Mahmood Khan noted that previous jirgas had produced few changes. “Peace is essential for development and the police must be strengthened,” he warned, highlighting that KP had made over 80,000 casualties in the fight against terrorism, while its 40 percent NFC share remained unpaid.
The participants pointed out that displaced families from North Waziristan were still waiting for Rs 17 billion. in compensation, while Rs100 billion for merged areas was yet to be released. They called on the federal government to uphold provincial rights under the 18th Amendment and ensure equitable resource management.
Former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser lamented the province’s economic decline. “We have faced 40 years of war, terrorism and jihad. What did we get? A culture of Klashnikovs and economic decline. Peshawar’s trade with Afghanistan is hampered. We must use diplomatic channels to prevent further deterioration,” he said.
JUI-F provincial chief Maulana Attaur-Rehman prayed for the success of the jirga and said in his remarks, “Peace in all provinces depends on the security of KP. To bring lasting peace, we must rise above political and personal differences.”
PML-N leader Zahid Khan said transparency was key to building trust. “If the provincial government engages with the federal government, decisions would be transparent and inclusive. Apex committee must be restored and closed doors must end,” he said.
Speaker Babar Saleem Swati praised the participation of all parties “beyond tribal and ethnic divisions” and said law and order had been discussed in the assembly for two months. “Despite numerous operations since 2012, we have not achieved lasting peace. Our children and women are being martyred,” he noted.
Opposition leader Dr. Obaidullah said terrorism – not politics – was the real problem and urged the jirga to address the root causes.
PTI provincial president Junaid Akbar praised the unity of the leadership but criticized previous national decisions. “Peace is above politics,” he said. “There can be no peace in Afghanistan without peace in Pakistan and vice versa.”
The PML-N delegation included former senator Zahid Khan, former minister Wajid Ali Khan, Zar Khan Safi and Abdul Salam Khattak. Abdullah Shakir, son of late scholar Mufti Munir Shakir, also attended.
Opposition leader Obaidullah, meanwhile, welcomed the forum as ‘the first of its kind’ but claimed that ‘there can be no negotiations with terrorists’ and said those responsible for atrocities do not deserve any pardon.
