PESHAWAR, Pakistan: Tribal elders from Pakistan’s Tirah Valley on Saturday accused the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government of governance failures that they say have prolonged displacement and humanitarian suffering, demanding an independent investigation into the handling of billions of rupees allocated for displaced families.
The demands were made at a jirga convened by the Bara Political Alliance in Bara tehsil of Khyber district, at the request of tribal elders and notables from Tirah.
During the jirga, tribal elders called for the immediate restoration of peace in the mountainous valley and accountability for mismanagement, corruption and political interference in relief funds by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government.
Tribal elders, while speaking at the jirga, strongly criticised the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, saying poor governance and security failures had forced residents to flee their homes and delayed their return.
Jirga members alleged corruption and political interference in the distribution of Rs4 billion allocated for people displaced from Tirah. They said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s lack of transparency had deepened mistrust of the provincial government and worsened humanitarian conditions.
At the same time, the jirga paid tribute to Pakistan’s security forces for their role in maintaining peace in the country, especially in the tribal districts.
The agenda of the jirga was presented by former chairman of the Bara Political Alliance, Haji Shireen Afridi, who said the alliance stood in full solidarity with all families displaced from Tirah.
Administrative failures
Addressing the jirga, senior alliance leader Malik Hashim said the displacement was the result of continued insecurity, administrative failures and conflicting positions taken by provincial authorities.
Hashim detailed a series of failed jirga efforts following terrorist violence in the mountainous area, including the killing of 21 people in Akakhel.
He said tribal elders had demanded a formal apology, or nanawate, from senior officials of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, including the chief minister, but were instead taken to meetings that produced no resolution.
He said a 93-member jirga formed to engage terrorist groups failed after parliamentarians withdrew from the process.
He added that earlier jirgas and consultations had taken place over the past two years with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief secretary, commissioner, and inspector general of the Frontier Corps.
“Any claim that the authorities were unaware of the situation is false,” Hashim said, adding that video records of the meetings were available.
He accused the provincial leadership of humiliating the people of Tirah and shifting responsibility rather than resolving the crisis.
Calls for peace and accountability
In a unanimous declaration, the jirga demanded the immediate restoration of complete and sustainable peace in the Tirah Valley and an end to violence against civilians.
The Bara Political Alliance called for an immediate halt to firing, shelling, mortar attacks on homes and incidents such as the downing of quadcopters, saying these actions had created fear among residents.
The jirga demanded the dignified return of displaced families and the full implementation of all promises and agreements made with them.
It also called for all residents owning homes or property in Tirah to be granted internally displaced person (IDP) status, fully registered and included in relief packages.
The tribal elders urged impartial investigations into the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s political interference, nepotism, administrative incompetence and corruption in the registration and assistance process, demanding strict action against those responsible.
Security concerns
The alliance said the law and order situation in Upper Bara and the Bara plain areas had become alarming and required urgent control.
It announced the launch of a peace movement in Bara, starting immediately, aimed at ensuring a safe environment for the local population.
The jirga also demanded that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government fulfil its constitutional responsibility to protect citizens and end kidnapping for ransom, threatening calls and what it described as an atmosphere of fear.
Reaffirming its commitment, the Bara Political Alliance said it would continue to stand with the displaced people of Tirah at every forum and pursue their rights until a lasting resolution is achieved.
‘Charge sheet’ against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa govt
Later, the federal government termed the Khyber National Jirga a “charge sheet” against the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, alleging poor governance and calling on the provincial authorities to apologise for the “construction of a false narrative”.
Speaking to a private television channel, Information Minister Ataullah Tarar said the jirga had not only demanded the restoration of peace but had also levelled serious allegations against the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government. He said the jirga had concluded that the provincial authorities were guilty of mismanagement and corruption and had failed to deliver for the people.
“This is a major charge sheet against the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government — the Rs4 billion that were allocated for people’s relief, displacement, registration and assistance have no accountability,” he said.
Criticising the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and provincial ministers and senior leadership, Tarar said their representatives frequently appeared on television, engaging in what he termed verbal attacks and theatrics, but were absent on the ground in Tirah Valley.
“After all, Tirah is within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is a provincial subject and falls under provincial administration. Their performance is zero. The Rs4b allocated for the people — the nation will demand an account of every single penny and ask where that money went,” he said.
The minister said the provincial government had attempted to shape a narrative, but the jirga had questioned what tangible steps had actually been taken for the people of the area.
Demanding an apology from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, Tarar said the manner in which the situation in Tirah was exploited and the narrative constructed around it warranted an apology to the entire nation.
“They should fold their hands and apologise to the people of Tirah, admitting that they were wrong, that they failed to do anything for them and remained busy with hollow political rhetoric,” he said, adding that they stay occupied with statements and trolling, while performance and delivery were completely lacking.
