Peshawar: Under the supervision of Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Afridi, the Grand Peace Jirga in Khyber categorically rejected the ambiguity surrounding the displacement of people from Tirah. Participants, including the general public, tribal elders, and affectees, stated clearly that they were forcibly displaced, not evacuated voluntarily, and endured severe hardships.
The Jirga strongly protested the injustice and oppression faced by the people of Tirah and resolved to march to Islamabad to seek their legitimate rights. The Chief Minister announced that consultative jirgas will also be held in other tribal districts to gather collective opinion, followed by a joint Grand Jirga of all tribal districts to finalize the course of action.
CM Afridi emphasized that decisions made behind closed doors are unacceptable, and it will be unequivocally stated in Islamabad that such decisions are invalid. He declared that there will be no compromise on the rights of the province and its people, and no wealth can sway his conscience.
He recalled that while law and order improved in KP from 2018 to 2022, a regime change removed the elected government of Imran Khan, after which terrorism was re-imposed on the province. He criticized the lack of timely action by federal and provincial authorities during critical developments in Tirah and stated that affected residents were forcibly displaced.
The Chief Minister clarified that KP’s provincial government has already provided Rs 4 billion for Tirah affectees from its own resources, whereas Rs 52 billion is still due from the federal government. A Chief Minister Relief Account will be established, and registration for affected families will be expedited to prevent further hardship.
CM Afridi also stated he will visit other tribal districts and present the case of the province’s people at the federal level with full force. He expressed deep sorrow over recent terrorist attacks in Balochistan and assured complete solidarity with the families of the martyrs.
