ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Saturday termed the Khyber National Jirga a “charge sheet” against the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, accusing it of poor governance, mismanagement and constructing what it called a “false narrative” over the situation in Tirah Valley.
A jirga convened at Bara Bazaar in Khyber district under the banner of the Khyber National Jirga had called for immediate relief for families displaced from Tirah Valley and urged the federal government to present a plan for their return and rehabilitation. Jirga leaders said the evacuation had taken place on the orders of both provincial and federal authorities.
Speaking to a private television channel, Information Minister Ataullah Tarar said the jirga went beyond demanding peace and relief and had levelled serious allegations against the KP government. He said the jirga concluded that the provincial administration was guilty of mismanagement and corruption and had failed to deliver for the people of Tirah.
“This is a major charge sheet against the KP provincial government. The Rs4 billion allocated for relief, displacement, registration and assistance has no accountability,” Tarar said.
He criticised PTI ministers and senior leaders, saying they remained busy with media appearances and political theatrics but were absent on the ground in Tirah Valley.
“Tirah falls under KP’s jurisdiction. It is a provincial subject. Their performance is zero,” he said, adding that the nation would demand an account of every rupee from the Rs4bn allocated for the affected people.
Tarar said the provincial government attempted to shape a misleading narrative, but the jirga questioned what concrete steps had actually been taken for residents of the area. Referring to National Finance Commission allocations, he said billions were given to KP for counterterrorism, yet there was no Counter-Terrorism Department, no Safe City cameras and no basic facilities such as schools, hospitals, colleges or universities in Tirah.
He questioned whether the area even had functioning police stations or checkposts, saying performance remained negligible despite repeated claims.
Tarar added that in matters of law and order, the people of Tirah looked to the Pakistan Army for protection, noting that the jirga had expressed confidence in the armed forces.
Demanding an apology, he said the KP government must admit its failure. “They should apologise to the people of Tirah and the nation for remaining busy with hollow rhetoric instead of delivering,” he said.
Jirga findings expose ‘false narrative’: Talal Chaudhry
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry also demanded an apology from the KP government, saying the jirga — convened by a broad political alliance — had endorsed the federal government’s stance and exposed a false narrative.
Speaking to a private TV channel, Chaudhry said the jirga’s conclusions left “no room” for the version presented by the KP authorities. He said it was established that Tirah residents vacated the area after assessing ground realities and under an agreement with the provincial government.
“The jirga has clearly explained what the federal government was trying to convey,” he said.
Chaudhry alleged that instead of fulfilling its responsibilities, the KP government resorted to propaganda to hide incompetence, worsening the suffering of the people.
He claimed the jirga found that a large portion of the Rs4bn relief funds had been lost to corruption and embezzlement, adding that promises to build hospitals, schools and police stations remained unfulfilled even eight to nine years after 2017.
According to Chaudhry, residents were forced to migrate due to the absence of basic facilities and the government’s writ. He said that when federal forces stepped in to restore peace and counter militancy, they faced allegations instead of cooperation.
“Instead of admitting mistakes, false allegations were levelled against the army that acted as a saviour for the people of Tirah,” he said.
Reiterating his demand, Chaudhry said the KP government had no justification to remain silent and must apologise, as the allegations, he claimed, were made deliberately for political purposes.
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