Federal Government to Join PTI’s Upcoming Peace Jirga in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Federal Minister for Frontier Affairs Amir Muqam announced on Thursday that the federal government would participate in the upcoming peace jirga convened by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The announcement was made during a joint press conference held in Islamabad alongside senior PTI leader Asad Qaiser. The event highlighted a rare moment of cooperation between the ruling coalition and the opposition party, both calling for unity to restore peace in the province.
Federal Government Accepts PTI Invitation
Earlier this week, PTI announced plans to host a peace jirga in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly (KPA) on November 12 to address the deteriorating law and order situation.
“We have conveyed our request to the federal government and are grateful they accepted our invitation,” Qaiser told reporters. He emphasized that both federal and provincial leaders must collaborate to create a coordinated plan for sustainable peace.
In response, Amir Muqam confirmed the government’s participation, noting that PTI had presented a clear purpose for the meeting. “They said they wanted peace, and we are all one in this effort,” he added.
Political Parties Invited to Join Effort
As part of preparations, Asad Qaiser led a delegation to meet with National Awami Party (NAP) Chairman Aftab Ahmad Sherpao, inviting him to attend the jirga. In a post on X, Qaiser acknowledged Sherpao as an “important provincial leader” and urged him to share his views and experiences during the event.
“Peace and secu-rity are our shared concerns that go beyond politics,” Qaiser wrote, stressing that cooperation among all political actors is essential for regional stability.
ANP to Consult Before Confirming Participation
Meanwhile, Awami National Party (ANP) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Mian Iftikhar Hussain said his party would hold internal consultations before deciding whether to attend the jirga.
Flanked by PTI leader and Adviser to the KP Chief Minister Shafiullah Jan, Hussain said ANP appreciated the invitation but wanted to ensure consensus among its members before confirming participation.
“The jirga we organized earlier was successful, and we included all political parties in its organizing committee,” he said. “We will now discuss this matter internally and inform both PTI and the media of our final decision.”
PTI’s KP Secretary General Ali Asghar Khan noted that this jirga, unlike the previous one, had been called by the provincial assembly speaker, ensuring broader representation. “He has formed a committee to meet members from all political parties and ensure everyone is heard,” Khan explained.
A Step Toward Political Unity
The initiative marks a rare display of unity among Pakistan’s political forces amid a worsening secu-rity climate in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Both federal and provincial leaderships appear determined to engage in dialogue and build consensus for a peaceful and stable future.
