Peace Jirga in KP Assembly to forward recommendations to Federal Govt

PESHAWAR: An important peace jirga has begun in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly under the chairmanship of Speaker Babar Saleem Swati to promote peace and stability in the province.

Welcoming the participants of the jirga, Speaker of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, Babar Saleem Swati, said that today we have all gathered solely for peace, without any political affiliation.

He said that this is the place of an elected jirga, and the aim of everyone present here is to establish lasting peace in the province.

Speaker KP Assembly

The Speaker said that since 2002, operations have been ongoing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. So far, 22 major and thousands of small operations have been carried out, but peace has not been restored yet.

He expressed regret that people who have been displaced since 2006 have not yet been able to return to their homes.

He said that our army is the bravest force in the world and the police are also on the front line, but despite this, the province is deprived of peace.

The Speaker said that a security committee meeting was held recently, which was positive, and it was decided to bring all political leaders together on one platform to adopt a collective strategy.

Opposition Leader KP Assembly

Opposition Leader Dr. Ibadullah thanked the representatives of all parties and said that he had participated in the jirga not as a political leader but as a resident of the province.

He said that the biggest problem of this province is terrorism, which has been discussed in detail in the provincial assembly for one and a half months.

Dr. Ibadullah said that for 23 years, the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been victims of terrorism, operations and displacement, so the time has come for everyone to come together and formulate a comprehensive strategy for peace.

Asad Qaiser Adress

In his address, former Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser said that everyone has to sit together for peace because peace is above politics.

‘We have to present a national policy to the federation so that a common strategy can be adopted for lasting peace.’

He further said that issues with Afghanistan should be resolved with patience, perseverance and diplomacy, because if there is peace here, there will be peace in Afghanistan too, we cannot live without each other.

Asad Qaiser criticized the 27th Amendment and said that this amendment has brought the funeral of the constitution and law.

Junaid Akbar Media Talk

Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Junaid Akbar told the media that 20 political parties were invited for the peace jirga and all parties have expressed their support for participation.

He said that the terrorist incidents that took place yesterday are regrettable, which cannot be condemned enough.

He alleged that someone or the other is behind these incidents, while Afghanistan has never recognized the existence of Pakistan.

Leaders of various schools of thought participating in the Jirga also expressed their determination to put aside all differences and work together to establish peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the tribal districts.

The Peace Jirga held in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly was attended by Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi, representatives of all political parties, including Pakistan Muslim League (N), Pakistan Peoples Party, Awami National Party, and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F), among others.

A comprehensive action plan for preventing terrorism, establishing peace, and sustainable stability is being considered in detail in the Peace Jirga.

At the end of the meeting, a declaration containing recommendations will be prepared, which will be sent to the federal government and relevant institutions so that practical steps can be taken on these recommendations.