Key points
- CM Sohail Afridi, Speaker Swati attend
- Joint declaration to outline peace recommendations
- Security measures in place for jirga
ISLAMABAD: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government will host a major peace jirga today (Wednesday) at the provincial assembly, bringing together leaders from over 20 political parties, tribal elders, lawyers, journalists, and members of civil society to discuss a unified strategy for restoring lasting peace in the province.
Officials have confirmed that all arrangements for the jirga have been finalised, and around 400 participants are expected to attend. The event is being held on the recommendation of the K-P Assembly’s Special Security Committee, according to The Express Tribune.
Chief Minister Sohail Afridi will participate in the jirga, with Speaker Babar Saleem Swati presiding over the session.
The jirga will take place in two sessions: the first will begin at 10am and continue until noon, followed by the second session after the Zuhr prayers. At the conclusion, CM Afridi and Speaker Swati will issue a joint declaration outlining the jirga’s recommendations.
Speaker Swati, Opposition Leader Dr Ibadullah Khan, former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, and Special Assistant for Information Shafiullah Jan, along with other government and opposition members, inspected the assembly hall to ensure the arrangements were in order.
Special security plan
Representatives from the Awami National Party (ANP), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), Jamaat-e-Islami, Qaumi Watan Party (QWP), and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) have confirmed their participation, along with members of the bar councils and civil society organisations.
A special security plan has been put in place, with access limited to authorised participants carrying special entry passes. A list of approximately 40 speakers has been prepared to ensure broad political and social representation.
Shafiullah Jan described the jirga as “the largest peace conference in the province’s history,” stating that it would be a landmark event for achieving sustainable peace in K-P. “All political leaders, journalists and representatives of various schools of thought will participate in the jirga,” he said, adding that joint recommendations and proposals will be made to lay the foundation for lasting stability.
