The Peace Jirga declaration will later be presented to the federal government, security institutions and the apex committee.
The Great Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 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 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 taken in and around the assembly building.
Among the attendees were 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 was held in two sessions. The first session began at 10 a.m. and continued until noon, which was followed by the second session after Zuhr prayers.
KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi termed the meeting a “welcome step under one banner” and stressed the importance of continuing dialogue on the direct impact of Afghanistan on the security of the province.
Chief Minister Sohail Afridi urged collective action and moving from short-term policies to a “once and for all” approach. The leaders reiterated that KP’s share (including 19 per cent of the merged tribal districts) had not been fully disbursed despite what they said were more than 80,000 sacrifices in the war on terrorism. They warned that war with Afghanistan should remain a last resort.
A ten-point statement, issued at the end of the jirga, underlined the need to guarantee the constitutional, financial, political and administrative rights of the KP. He declared that the KP Peace and Development Party would continue its fight for the protection and well-being of the people.
The statement urges the provincial government to fulfill its constitutional duty of protecting lives and properties of citizens and to further strengthen the Police, Border Police (FC), Revenue and Anti-Terrorism Department (CTD) to enhance peace and order.
He also demanded that the provincial government effectively present its financial case to the federation, asserting KP’s first right over its natural resources. The jirga called for increased funding for the development of the merged districts and prioritization of projects in tourism, minerals, energy, education and health, while highlighting transparency in the utilization of revenue.
The jirga participants also urged the government to defend KP’s stance in the National Finance Commission (NFC) on issues such as Hydel net profit, federal excise duty on petroleum, province’s water ratio, natural gas precedence under Article 158, population ratio of merged districts, implementation of 11th NFC Award, Galiyat drinking water issue and Article 151.
Concluding the statement, the jirga resolved that the rights of the people of KP would be raised and defended on all available platforms. The statement was subsequently presented to the federal government, security institutions and the Apex Committee.
Earlier, Maulana Lutfur Rahman led the prayers for the KP martyrs while MPA Ahmed Karim Kundi recited verses from Allama Iqbal’s poetry in tribute.
Qaumi Watan Party chief Aftab Sherpao said: “Without peace, there will be no development and no investment. Many districts lack effective government control and FATA lacks basic facilities. Intelligence sharing must improve. We will support efforts to secure provincial rights.”
Former Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Sirajul-Haq highlighted the need for diplomacy and said, “Political conflicts harm people. KP’s resources must be protected.”
ANP provincial chief Mian Iftikhar urged strong 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 Prime Minister Mahmood Khan noted that previous jirgas had brought about little change. “Peace is essential for development and the police must be strengthened,” he warned, highlighting that KP had made more than 80,000 sacrifices in the fight against terrorism while its 40 percent share of NFC remained unpaid.
Participants noted that displaced families from North Waziristan were still waiting for Rs 17 billion in compensation, while Rs 100 billion had not yet been released for the merged areas. They called on the federal government to uphold provincial rights under the 18th Amendment and ensure fair management of resources.
Former speaker of the National Assembly, Asad Qaiser, lamented the economic decline of the province. “We have faced 40 years of war, terrorism and jihad. What do we gain? 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 chief Maulana Attaur-Rehman prayed for the success of the jirga and said in his remarks: “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 the key to building trust. “If the provincial government collaborated with the federal government, decisions would be transparent and inclusive. The Apex Committee must be re-established and decision-making behind closed doors must end,” he said.
Speaker Babar Saleem Swati praised the participation of all parties “across tribal and ethnic divides” and said law and order had been debated in the assembly for two months. “Despite the numerous operations carried out since 2012, we have not achieved lasting peace. Our children and women are being martyred,” he said.
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 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 the late scholar Mufti Munir Shakir, also attended.
Meanwhile, opposition leader Obaidullah welcomed the forum as “the first of its kind” but stated that “there can be no negotiations with terrorists”, saying those responsible for atrocities do not deserve forgiveness.
