By Staff Reporter
PESHAWAR: A grand jirga in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Thursday assigned Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to broker peace, following the government’s ban on the right group Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) and violence that killed three people in the region.
The grand jirga, attended by provincial Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and other leaders, addressed the current security situation after clashes between police and PTM workers killed three and injured 15 ahead of a three-day PTM gathering.
The meeting formed a new jirga, led by Gandapur, to engage in talks with dissenting parties.
“I am grateful to all parliamentarians and leaders for trusting me,” Gandapur said. “Protection of life and property is our first responsibility. We will find a peaceful solution through this jirga.”
The development follows the government’s ban on PTM under Section 11B of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997, citing threats to peace and security.
The KP government initially conveyed reservations to the centre but later announced strict implementation of the ban. The provincial authorities prohibited officials from engaging with the event and imposed Section 144 in Khyber district.
“I’m ready to sit on the floor with the second party for negotiations,” Gandapur told the Jirga. “Solving problems requires negotiations, not conflict.”
Interior Minister Naqvi expressed support, saying the federal government had no objection to Gandapur’s talks.
“The federal government will not allow a parallel judicial system,” Naqvi warned, referring to PTM’s planned gathering.
A day earlier, Minister Naqvi warned the PTM against stoking ethnic tensions. “The main reason for banning them was abusing state institutions and promoting ethnic discrimination,” Naqvi then said. “Anyone helping or facilitating the PTM will face restrictions.”
The PTM, founded in 2014, alleges Pashtun rights abuses during Pakistan’s war on militants in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Amnesty International urged Pakistan to revoke the ban, citing concerns over protest suppression.
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