Peace Jirga’s declaration will later be presented to federal government, security institutions, apex committee
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Grand Peace Jirga has called for the establishment of the Provincial Finance Commission (PFC) to ensure an equitable distribution of financial resources across the province. The jirga also called for the strengthening of law enforcement agencies to counter the renewed wave of terrorism.
The jirga, held at the K-P 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 arrangements were made in and around the assembly building.
Among those in attendance were former governors Engineer Shaukatullah, Shah Farman, Haji Ghulam Ali, and former speaker Karamatullah Chugharmatti; lawmakers 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 10am and continued until noon, which was then followed by the second session after the Zuhr prayers.
K-P Governor Faisal Karim Kundi termed the gathering a ‘welcome step under one banner’ and underlined the importance of continued dialogue on Afghanistan’s direct impact on the province’s security.
Chief Minister Sohail Afridi urged collective action and a shift from short-term policies to a ‘once-for-all’ approach. Leaders reiterated that K-P’s rightful share— including 19 per cent from the merged tribal districts—had not been fully disbursed despite what they said were over 80,000 sacrifices in the war against terror. They warned that war with Afghanistan should remain a last resort.
A ten-point declaration, issued at the end of the jirga, underscored the need to secure K-P’s constitutional, financial, political, and administrative rights. It stated that the K-P Peace and Development Party would continue its struggle for the protection and welfare of the people.
The declaration called on the provincial government to fulfill its constitutional duty to protect citizens’ lives and property, and to further strengthen the Police, Frontier Constabulary (FC), Levies, and Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) to improve peace and order.
It also demanded that the provincial government present its financial case effectively before the federation, asserting K-P’s first right over its natural resources. The jirga called for increased development funding for merged districts and prioritisation of projects in tourism, minerals, energy, education, and health, while stressing transparency in revenue utilisation.
Participants of the jirga also urged the government to defend K-P’s stance in the National Finance Commission (NFC) on issues such as net hydel profit, federal excise duty on oil, the province’s water share, natural gas precedence under Article 158, merged districts’ population share, implementation of the 11th NFC Award, Galiyat’s drinking water issue, and Article 151.
Concluding the declaration, the jirga resolved that the rights of the people of K-P would be raised and defended at every available platform. The declaration was later presented to the federal government, security institutions, and the Apex Committee.
Earlier, Maulana Lutfur Rahman led prayers for the martyrs of K-P, 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 or 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 stressed the need for diplomacy and said, “Political conflicts harm people. K-P’s resources must be protected.”
ANP provincial chief Mian Iftikhar urged firm action against extremism. “Ban all extremist groups, strengthen provincial ownership of peace initiatives, and respect the NFC Award and border management powers. Negotiation remains key focus,” 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, highlighting that K-P had made over 80,000 sacrifices in the fight against terrorism while its 40 per cent NFC share remained unpaid.
Participants pointed out that displaced families from North Waziristan were still awaiting Rs17 billion in compensation, while Rs100 billion for merged areas had yet to be released. They called on the federal government to uphold provincial rights under the 18th Amendment and ensure fair resource management.
Former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser lamented the province’s economic decline. “We have faced 40 years of war, terrorism, and jihad. What did we gain? A culture of Klashnikov 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 K-P’s security. To bring lasting peace, we must rise above political and personal differences.”
PML-N leader Zahid Khan said, transparency was the key to trust-building. “If the provincial government engaged with the federal government, decisions would be transparent and inclusive. The Apex Committee must be restored, and closed-door decision-making must end,” he said.
Speaker Babar Saleem Swati praised the participation of all parties ‘beyond tribal and ethnic divisions’ and said law and order had been debated in the assembly for two months. “Despite numerous operations since 2012, we have not achieved lasting peace. Our children and women are being martyred,” he noted.
Opposition Leader Dr Obaidullah said that terrorism—not politics—was the real issue, urging the jirga to address the root causes.
PTI provincial president Junaid Akbar commended the unity of leadership but criticised past national decisions. “Peace stands 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.
Opposition leader Obaidullah, meanwhile, welcomed 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.
