Afridi says force alone cannot secure lasting peace in tribal districts

BAJAUR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mohammed Sohail Afridi on Sunday reiterated his opposition to military operations in the tribal districts and called for joint efforts to achieve lasting peace in the region.

Addressing a peace jirga at the Bajaur Sports Complex in Khar, the chief minister said durable peace was essential for the province’s socioeconomic development, which he said had been badly damaged by years of unrest. He said decisions taken behind closed doors could not provide an effective answer to the issue.

‘The entire Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and its tribal districts have witnessed several thousands of large and small operations aimed at maintaining peace, but these efforts have largely failed to produce effective results, demonstrating that the use of force alone cannot bring peace,’ he said.

Mr Afridi said the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the tribal districts were deeply loyal to the country, but added that they were not prepared to become part of someone else’s war.

Criticising the federal government over what he described as plans for another operation in Bajaur, the chief minister said authorities in Islamabad should remember that earlier operations in the district had displaced more than 31,000 people without producing visible results.

He told the gathering that he had proposed the formation of a National Jirga to help secure lasting peace in the province, but said the suggestion had not been accepted by the federal government. He said the time had come to make decisions in the broader national interest rather than ‘serving’ the interests of others.

‘We must find a solution to the unrest that has continued in the country for the last 22 years, through decisions that are result-oriented and acceptable to all,’ he added.

The chief minister also accused the Centre of failing to release funds for people affected by military operations. He said the federal government had promised Rs30 billion but had not provided any amount so far. According to Mr Afridi, the provincial government had spent Rs15 billion on those affected by the operations, and he said the Centre was not showing interest in resolving the problems faced by residents of the tribal districts.

Referring to the provincial government’s planned Rs1,000 billion special development package for the tribal districts, he said Rs2 billion each would be set aside for the health and education sectors.

In response to a charter of demands presented by local elders, Mr Afridi announced the establishment of a university campus, the provision of all missing facilities and doctors at the District Headquarters Hospital in Khar, and a plan to link Bajaur with the Dir Motorway.

The gathering was attended by people from different segments of society as well as a large number of PTI workers. PTI provincial president Junid Akbar, PTI local MPAs Dr Hamidur Rehman, Anwar Zeb Khan and Ajmal Khan, and ANP MPA Mohammad Nisar Khan also addressed the event. Former PTI MNA Gul Zafar Khan, Bajaur Aman Jirga head Sahibzada Haroon Rashid and several elders also spoke at the gathering, where participants carried white flags.

Earlier, during a meeting with leaders of the Bajaur Aman Jirga, the chief minister praised their efforts for peace in the district and said the struggle of tribal elders for peace was commendable. He said his government was working to establish durable peace in the province because it was necessary for progress and prosperity.

‘Peace comes first and is essential, as without it, progress and prosperity are not possible.’

Mr Afridi said the war had badly affected the province’s infrastructure, institutions and youth, and added that such a situation could no longer be tolerated.