KP grand jirga seeks talks on drone strikes, warns of march on Islamabad

PESHAWAR: A grand tribal jirga convened by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Saturday called for negotiations with the federal government and other stakeholders over drone strikes in the province, warning of a march on Islamabad if talks fail.

The “loya jirga,” held at the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar, brought together tribal elders from across the province, particularly the merged districts. Participants unanimously supported giving dialogue “another chance” and agreed to form a smaller jirga to engage with authorities.

According to an official statement, the jirga will seek discussions with the federal government and other stakeholders, but cautioned that if negotiations do not yield results, a march toward Islamabad will be launched “with no return until peace is secured.”

The gathering strongly condemned civilian casualties, including women and children, in recent drone strikes and stressed the need for urgent measures to prevent further loss of life.

Addressing the jirga, the chief minister also raised concerns over financial commitments made during the merger of the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stating that promised funds had not been fully released. He said the province would also pursue its constitutional and financial rights under the National Finance Commission framework.

Afridi criticised the effectiveness of past security operations, noting that numerous military and intelligence-based operations had failed to bring lasting peace. He claimed that despite extensive resources, stability remained elusive and pledged to prioritise peace efforts in the region.

The chief minister also expressed concern over the treatment of jirga members at checkpoints, warning that such incidents risk deepening public resentment. He reiterated that the provincial government would take practical steps to address drone-related issues and protect civilians.

The jirga further highlighted concerns over detentions, with Afridi alleging that hundreds of individuals were being held without transparency. He called for accountability and proper documentation of detainees.

The development comes amid rising tensions in the province following recent drone incidents, which have triggered protests and renewed debate over security policies and civilian protection in the region.