The Great Jirga rejects new military operation and calls for dialogue and peace

Tribal elders and members of the National Assembly of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf on Saturday categorically opposed any new military operation in the tribal districts of the ‘Grand Aman Jirga’, instead calling for dialogue, justice and development to ensure lasting peace in the region.

The Aman Jirga (peace assembly), held in Peshawar on Saturday, brought together elders from Bajaur, Khyber and Waziristan, along with PTI workers and community leaders carrying white flags with the message ‘Only Peace’. The jirga echoed a unified demand for stability through consultations and urged the federal government to respect the will of the people of the merged districts.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, addressing the jirga in Urdu, Punjabi and Pashto, gave a fiery speech rejecting any plans to renew military operations in the region.

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“After 9/11, Pakistan became a battlefield for drone operations and strikes. The state made promises to internally displaced persons (IDPs) that were never kept. Now, preparations for another operation are underway; we will not allow it,” Afridi said.

He recalled that in 2018 the tribal areas were declared “clean”, especially highlighting Khyber as clear. “However, they were resettled despite our repeated warnings. We cannot be asked to make more sacrifices, not to exchange our lives for dollars,” he said.

Afridi urged the federal government to trust both the provincial government and tribal representatives before making any decision regarding the merged districts. “This time we will not be scapegoats,” he warned.

The prime minister also demanded an early meeting of the National Finance Commission (NFC) and allocation of Rs 3.5 billion from provincial funds. “Give us our due rights. We don’t want second-hand vehicles; we want our fair share,” he said, switching to Punjabi to add: “Saada haq ithe rakh (Give us our right here).”

Afridi concluded his speech by announcing the convening of a Loya Aman Jirga (Grand Peace Assembly) soon to finalize the tribes’ collective stance on future peace and security strategies.

Addressing the meeting, tribal elder Malik Khan Marjan said terrorism can only be defeated through dialogue and not military action. “All tribes support the prime minister. Decisions regarding tribal areas will be taken by the tribal jirga itself,” he declared, adding that the elders were ready to collaborate with the provincial and federal governments as well as the armed forces under the leadership of CM Afridi.

MPA Abdul Ghani said Afridi’s appointment marks a proud moment for the region. “After 77 years, a tribal son has once again donned the chief minister’s turban,” he said, calling it a symbolic return of tribal representation.

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Senator Noorul Haq Qadri used the platform to warn against provocation from neighboring Afghanistan, saying instability across the border could reignite terrorism in the tribal belt. “If Afghanistan is disrupted again, terrorism will return to the tribal areas,” he warned.

Qadri also criticized PML-N leader and Information Minister Atta Tarar, accusing him of disrespecting the tribal community and trying to obstruct Afridi’s election as prime minister. “There will come a time when we will respond to Atta Tarar,” he warned.