ISLAMABAD: 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).
Muqam made the announcement during a joint press conference with senior PTI leader Asad Qaiser in Islamabad.
Earlier this week, the PTI decided to hold a peace jirga in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly on November 12 to deliberate on the deteriorating law and order situation in the province.
“We had invited the federal government to participate in the jirga and are thankful that they accepted our request,” Qaiser told reporters. “This initiative is about collective action — the province’s leadership and people must work together for peace.”
Responding to a question, Muqam said that the PTI delegation had clearly presented their case. “They said they wanted peace and unity, and the government agreed with this objective,” he noted.
Meanwhile, in a post on X, Qaiser said his delegation also met National Awami Party (NAP) Chairman Aftab Ahmad Sherpao earlier in the day.
“The delegation invited Aftab Ahmad Sherpao to attend the peace jirga organised by the KP government on November 12,” he wrote, adding that Sherpao, a former chief minister, was an “important provincial leader whose experience and views were vital for ensuring peace and security beyond politics.”
ANP to consult before accepting invitation
Awami National Party’s (ANP) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Mian Iftikhar Hussain said the party would hold internal consultations before confirming participation in the jirga.
Speaking at a joint press conference alongside PTI leader and Adviser to the KP Chief Minister Shafiullah Jan, Hussain said, “The previous jirga we held was successful, and we formed an organising committee comprising all political parties to oversee the process.”
He added that while some parties had not yet been contacted, ANP President Aimal Wali Khan had informed KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur that a final decision would be taken after discussions.
“We appreciate the PTI’s invitation and will convey our decision after consultations,” he said. “You’ll soon find out who will attend the jirga.”
PTI’s KP Secretary General Ali Asghar Khan, who also spoke at the presser, clarified that the earlier jirga was called by the chief minister and the party had reservations about federal involvement.
“This time, the jirga is being convened by the KP Assembly Speaker,” he explained. “He has formed a committee to reach out to representatives from all parties, and we’re here to request a positive response to his invitation.”
