MPA Shazia Tehmas suggested including women from merged districts in tribal jirgas
PESHAWAR:
In a rare show of unity, members of both the government and opposition in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly on Monday proposed to call an All Parties Conference (APC) to discuss the deteriorating law and order situation, terrorism and tensions with Afghanistan.
The house unanimously decided to consult the governor, prime minister, political party leaders, civil society representatives and key officials of relevant institutions to resolve the issues.
During a detailed debate on law and order, Speaker Babar Saleem Swati said a house committee had already been formed to address these issues.
“This province does not belong to one party, it belongs to all of us,” he stated. He invited all political leaders, civil society, bar associations, the prime minister and the governor to submit suggestions on how to improve peace in the province. He said that information would be sought later from the Peshawar Corps Commander and the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
MPA Arshad Ayub said the deteriorating security situation is the most serious problem in the province and needs immediate and serious attention. MPA Ahmad Kundi suggested that all political parties should sit together and devise a joint strategy.
MPA Zahid Chanzeb expressed concern over the treatment of Afghan refugees and cross-border shelling. He said the way the Afghans are being expelled could lead to retaliation tomorrow. “Institutions must act with caution; if dialogue were the solution, it should have been held sooner.”
Dr Amjad Ali said political parties are pitted against each other while peace and democracy should be their shared priority. “Despite 14,000 operations, peace has not been achieved in the province. An APC must be called immediately so that practical proposals can be agreed.”
MPA Shafi Ullah Jan questioned how despite thousands of operations, militants managed to re-emerge, calling it a serious issue for state institutions.
MPA Anwar Zeb highlighted that thousands of people in tribal districts, particularly Bajaur, had been displaced for 48 days due to the ongoing operations. “When people return home, new targeted operations begin, resulting in the death and injury of innocent civilians,” he said, adding that peace is only possible if all stakeholders and political elders unite.
ANP parliamentary leader Arbab Usman said his party had been the most affected by the establishment’s actions but did not want to appear confrontational. “An APC must be above political considerations,” he said, adding: “The war in the region is about resources and all eyes are on ours.”
MPA Abdul Ghani said tribal people had always shown bravery but were prevented from holding traditional jirgas. “The tribal elders have made it clear that no further operations, drone strikes or displacement will be accepted. The tribal belt cannot support any further operations,” he said.
Advocate Mehr Sultana said since a law and order committee had already been formed, the assembly should be informed once the meetings are held. He also called for more opportunities for members to discuss their constituents.
MPA Ashbar Jadoon stressed that those dying on both sides of the border “are our own people.” However, he also praised the sacrifices of the military.
“We sleep peacefully in our homes because of them. Afghanistan, which works on behalf of India, often attacks us; we should avoid involving our army in new fronts,” he said.
MPA Shazia Tehmas suggested including women from the merged districts in the tribal jirgas.
He said that civil society and political parties already have female members from these areas who understand local problems well. They should be part of these jirgas.
In the end, the MPAs unanimously agreed that sustainable peace in the KP could only be achieved if all political forces, state institutions and tribal elders sat together and devised a joint strategy.
Afridi meets with corps commander
Newly elected KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi held an important one-on-one meeting with Peshawar Corps Commander Lieutenant General Umar Ahmad Bukhari in his first meeting since assuming office.
According to security sources, the meeting, described as a courtesy call, discussed the province’s security situation and other key issues. Officials confirmed that it is customary for a new prime minister to meet with the corps commander shortly after taking office.
Former CM Ali Amin Gandapur had earlier met the then corps commander accompanied by members of his cabinet. However, the new prime minister opted for a face-to-face meeting.
