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n a rare display of political and social unity, over thirty political parties, tribal elders, civil society members, journalists, business leaders and religious scholars gathered at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly for a provincial peace jirga aimed at charting a comprehensive path toward ending decades of terrorism in the region.
The jirga reflected rising frustration over recurring waves of violence, failed negotiations and short-lived security operations.
Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, addressing the assembly, said terrorism had long devastated the province and that “closed-door policies” could no longer suffice. “We must think out of the box and engage every stakeholder so that terrorism can be eliminated once and for all,” he said, stressing that counterterrorism strategies must be long-term and continuous rather than short-term reactions that they have sometimes been.
Afridi underscored the human cost of terrorism, noting that civilians, politicians and security personnel alike had sacrificed their lives for peace. He also emphasised socio-economic development in the merged tribal districts as essential to counter radicalisation, saying that providing jobs and opportunities could prevent youth from joining extremist networks.
Welcoming recent Pakistan-Afghanistan peace dialogue, Afridi described the talks as “positive steps supported by all political parties,” suggesting joint jirgas on both sides of the border to strengthen mutual understanding. “War should always remain the last resort,” he said.
Governor Faisal Karim Khan Kundi said peace could not be achieved without coordinated federal-provincial cooperation and political unity. “We must guide our younger generation in the right direction and keep politics aside when pursuing peace,” he said, urging consensus-based dialogue between the provincial and federal governments.
Former Jamaat-i-Islami chief Siraj-ul Haq argued that “wars never bring victory,” citing Afghanistan and Gaza as examples where long conflicts ended in negotiations. He cautioned against advocating war between Pakistan and Afghanistan, warning that it would only bring destruction to Peshawar, Islamabad, Jalalabad and Kabul. He proposed sending a peace jirga to Kabul under national supervision to pursue dialogue over bloodshed.
Awami National Party leader Mian Iftikhar Hussain criticised the provincial government for failing to counter terrorism effectively despite holding power for 13 years. Recalling the ANP’s counter-extremism efforts during 2008, he urged policymakers to learn from past mistakes and adopt clear, consistent policies that ensure cooperation among all stakeholders.
Speaker Babar Saleem Swati drew attention to the immense human and economic toll of terrorism, noting that “more civilians, police and security personnel have been martyred than terrorists.” Referring to the recent unrest in Bajaur, he said the displacement of thousands of people had cost the province about Rs 2.5 billion in relief operations.
Awami National Party leader Mian Iftikhar Hussain criticised the provincial government for failing to counter terrorism effectively despite holding power for 13 years. Recalling the ANP’s counter-extremism efforts during 2008, he urged policymakers to learn from past mistakes and adopt clear, consistent policies that ensure cooperation among all stakeholders.
Former chief minister Mahmood Khan urged setting aside political rivalries to pursue peace and suggested a greater role for the army in coordinated efforts for lasting stability. Tribal elder Khan Marjan Wazir emphasised the sacrifices of local tribes and proposed sending a Pashtun jirga to Afghanistan to promote cross-border harmony.
Muhammad Riaz, president of the Peshawar Press Club, reminded the assembly that negotiations and military operations since 2003 had repeatedly failed to achieve lasting results. He called for addressing root causes—including ideological extremism, poverty and lack of education—rather than relying solely on military means.
Lawmakers Mohsin Dawar and Junaid Akbar Khan warned that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was once again becoming a battleground in the regional “great game.” Dawar said the Taliban still operated courts and maintained influence in several areas around Peshawar, arguing that negotiations would be futile as long as their objective remained absolute control. He urged the creation of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to assess past counterterrorism efforts.
After hours of deliberations, the jirga issued a 14-point declaration outlining a roadmap for peace and counterterrorism. It called on the provincial government to formulate a provincial action plan against terrorism, reopen traditional Pak-Afghan trade routes to boost the economy and ensure that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is included in federal foreign policy consultations.
The declaration demanded regular meetings of the Council of Common Interests and urged efforts to ease tensions between the federal and provincial governments.
On security, it recommended that police and the Counter-Terrorism Department lead internal security operations while ending illegal taxation, extortion and unregulated mineral extraction in conflict-hit areas. Security agencies were asked to provide in-camera briefings to the assembly on ongoing operations.
It also called for the establishment of peace forums including non-government representatives, better coordination among police, cantonment authorities and local governments and removal of excessive check posts.
Financially, the declaration proposed linking the National Finance Commission provisions with the Provincial Finance Commission to strengthen local governance and demanded that the federal government release all constitutional dues owed to the province. It also urged the implementation of Article 151 to facilitate inter-provincial trade, especially for essential goods such as wheat.
While the jirga represented a rare consensus among political and social forces, doubts remain about the implementation of its recommendations. Similar conferences in Swat, Waziristan and other regions have failed to yield durable peace, with militancy resurfacing due to weak follow-up and political disunity.
The success of the jirga will depend on whether its declarations are translated into concrete policy; whether the federal and provincial governments sustain cooperation; and whether socio-economic development is prioritised alongside security.
Without consistent political will, observers warn, the jirga could become another symbolic exercise—costly in time, resources and public hope— rather than a turning point in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s long struggle against terrorism.
Still, for the people who have endured decades of conflict, the gathering represents a flicker of optimism. The jirga’s focus on development, coordinated governance and tribal inclusion offers a more holistic approach than some past initiatives. Only time will reveal whether this ambitious blueprint can finally deliver peace in the province and beyond.
The writer is a freelance journalist and social worker.