Centre, KP unite at grand jirga to address security challenges

In a significant development, all major stakeholders in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) have come together on a united front to address peace and security challenges on Thursday.

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, for the first time, KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Governor Faisal Karim Kundi sat together at a Grand Jirga held at the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi represented the federal government at the meeting, underlining the importance of collaboration between provincial and federal authorities in the pursuit of peace and stability in the region.

In the Jirga, notable political figures including Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Maqam, Speaker KP Assembly Babar Saleem Swati, opposition leader Dr Abadullah, Mohsin Dawar, and ANP leaders Aimal Wali Khan, Mian Iftikhar Hussain, and Sikandar Hayat Sherpao were also in attendance.

The Inspector General (IG) of KP, Chief Secretary, and Commandant of the Frontier Corps (FC) also participated in the grand jirga.

In the inaugural speech, Chief Minister Gandapur emphasised that the Jirga was held beyond political affiliations, stating, "We are here to find peaceful solutions to the challenges facing the province.

CM Gandapur assured the participants that all suggestions would be given full respect, with the primary focus on ensuring the safety of the public and security forces.

Gandapur said any problem can be solved not by conflict or violence but by negotiation.

Addressing the Grand Jirga, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi expressed gratitude to the provincial government for organising the event and extended special thanks to Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi for his presence.

Kundi acknowledged the political differences within the province but stressed that the peace and prosperity of the people are the top priorities.

Governor Kundi remarked, "While we may have political disagreements, the peace of this province and the well-being of its people are our shared priorities. The sole agenda of today’s Jirga is to restore peace in the province."

He underscored the importance of negotiations, stating, "Dialogue is the only solution to all problems. We have seen how the global community agreed to resolve the Afghanistan issue through negotiations."

The governor further emphasised the urgency of the situation, adding, "We have little time; it is critical to bring everyone to the negotiation table and find a solution."

Kundi suggested that negotiations should be held with those who respect the constitution and law of the country, adding that some demands would need to be addressed by the provincial government while others would require federal attention.

He also pointed out the deteriorating security situation in the province, with several areas still being "no-go zones," urging for unity to bring lasting peace to the region.

Reporter: Ahmad Mansoor