The Peace Jirga declaration will then be presented to the federal government, security institutions and the supreme committee
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 the strengthening of law enforcement to counter the new 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 have been taken in and around the assembly building.
Participants included former governors Engineer Shaukatullah, Shah Farman, Haji Ghulam Ali and former President Karamatullah Chugharmatti; legislators Maulana Naseem Ali Shah, Amjad Ali, Shandana Gulzar and Senator Rubina Naz; and journalists Hamid Mir and Imtiaz Gul.
The jirga took place in two sessions. The first session began at 10 a.m. and continued until noon, followed by the second session after Zuhr prayers.
KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi called the gathering a “welcome step under one banner” and stressed the importance of continuous dialogue on the direct impact of Afghanistan on the security of the province.
Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has called for collective action and a shift from short-term policies to a “once and for all” approach. The leaders reiterated that the KP’s legitimate share – including 19 per cent from the merged tribal districts – had not been fully disbursed despite what they termed as over 80,000 sacrifices in the war against terrorism. They warned that war with Afghanistan must remain a last resort.
A ten-point declaration, issued at the end of the jirga, highlighted the need to ensure the constitutional, financial, political and administrative rights of the KP. He said the KP Peace and Development Party would continue its struggle for the protection and welfare of the people.
The statement calls on the provincial government to fulfill its constitutional duty to protect the lives and property of citizens, and further strengthen the police, Border Police (FC), Levies and Anti-Terrorism Department (CTD) to improve peace and order.
He also demanded that the provincial government effectively present its financial case before the federation, thereby asserting KP’s first right to its natural resources. The jirga called for increased development funding for the merged districts and prioritization of projects in tourism, minerals, energy, education and health, while emphasizing transparency in the use of revenue.
The jirga participants also urged the government to defend KP’s position in the National Finance Commission (NFC) on issues such as net profit of the oil industry, federal excise duty on oil, share of provincial water, priority on natural gas under Article 158, population share of merged districts, implementation of 11th NFC award, Galiyat drinking water issue and section 151.
Concluding the statement, the jirga decided that the rights of the people of KP would be defended on all available platforms. The declaration was then presented to the Federal Government, security institutions and the Supreme Committee.
Earlier, Maulana Lutfur Rahman led prayers for the KP martyrs, while MP Ahmed Karim Kundi recited verses of Allama Iqbal’s poetry in tribute.
Aftab Sherpao, leader of Qaumi Watan Party, said: “Without peace, there will be no development and investment. Many districts lack effective government control and FATA lacks basic facilities. Intelligence sharing needs to be improved. We will support efforts to ensure provincial rights.”
Former Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Sirajul-Haq stressed the need for diplomacy and said, “Political conflicts harm people. KP resources must be protected.”
ANP provincial leader Mian Iftikhar called for strong action against extremism. “Banning all extremist groups, strengthening provincial ownership of peace initiatives and respecting the NFC award and border management powers. Negotiation remains a priority,” he said.
Former chief minister Mahmood Khan noted that previous jirgas had produced little change. “Peace is essential for development and the police must be strengthened,” he warned, pointing out that the KP had made more than 80,000 sacrifices in the fight against terrorism while its 40 percent share in the NFC remained unpaid.
Participants pointed out that displaced families from North Waziristan were still waiting for Rs17 billion in compensation, while Rs100 billion for the merged areas was yet to be released. They called on the federal government to respect provincial rights under the 18th Amendment and ensure equitable management of resources.
Former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser lamented the economic decline of the province. “We have faced 40 years of war, terrorism and jihad. What have we gained? A Klashnikov culture and economic decline. Peshawar’s trade with Afghanistan is hampered. We must use diplomatic channels to prevent further deterioration,” he said.
JUI-F provincial leader Maulana Attaur-Rehman prayed for the success of the jirga and said in his speech, “The peace of all provinces depends on the security of KP. To achieve lasting peace, we must overcome political and personal differences.
PML-N leader Zahid Khan said transparency was key to building trust. “If the provincial government engaged with the federal government, decisions would be transparent and inclusive. The Supreme Committee must be reinstated and closed-door decision-making must end,” he said.
Speaker Babar Saleem Swati welcomed the participation of all parties “across tribal and ethnic divides” and said law and order had been debated in the Assembly for the past two months. “Despite numerous operations since 2012, we have failed to achieve lasting peace. Our children and women are martyred,” he noted.
Opposition leader Dr Obaidullah said the real problem was terrorism, not politics, and urged the jirga to address the root causes.
PTI provincial president Junaid Akbar hailed the leaders’ unity but criticized past 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, was also present.
Opposition leader Obaidullah, meanwhile, hailed the forum as “the first of its kind” but asserted that “there can be no negotiations with terrorists”, saying those responsible for atrocities deserve no pardon.
