PESHAWAR, Pakistan: Elders from Pakistan’s tribal districts have accused the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government of corruption, mismanagement and governance failures, and demanded an independent investigation into the handling of billions of rupees allocated for families displaced from the Tirah Valley due to militancy.
The allegations were made at a large jirga (tribal assembly) convened in Bara tehsil of Khyber district under the auspices of the Bara Political Alliance, where elders and political representatives expressed solidarity with thousands of families displaced from the mountainous Tirah Valley.
Elders said Rs4 billion had been allocated for the registration, relief and rehabilitation of displaced families but alleged that political interference, nepotism and corruption by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government had undermined the process.
Tribal elders maintained that the provincial government’s mismanagement and governance failure has worsened humanitarian suffering and delayed the return of the displaced families.
Bara Political Alliance Jirga, convened on demand of tribal elders from #Tirah , paid tribute to security forces for establishing peace in area#RadioPakistan #news https://t.co/qtj1PapvBk pic.twitter.com/2FKy5POUon
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) January 31, 2026
Mismanagement and nepotism
Participants at the jirga said corruption and a lack of transparency in the distribution of relief funds were unacceptable and had eroded trust in the provincial authorities.
“The problems of the Tirah affectees are not confined to one tribe or area. This is a collective national issue,” the elders said in a joint declaration, warning that any further delay in resolving the crisis was intolerable.
They called for an impartial investigation into “political interference and administrative incompetence” in the registration and assistance process, demanding strict action against those found responsible.
Call for peace and safe return
The jirga demanded the immediate restoration of complete and sustainable peace in Tirah Valley, saying displaced families could not return without security guarantees.
They also demanded the dignified return of displaced families and the full implementation, in writing and in practice, of all promises and agreements made with the affectees.
“All residents owning homes or property in Tirah should be granted internally displaced person (IDP) status, fully registered and included in relief packages,” the declaration said.
Outstanding dues related to vehicles taken during displacement should be paid immediately, elders warned, threatening a protest march to Peshawar if payments were delayed.
Jirga efforts for peace
The agenda of the jirga was presented by former chairman of the Bara Political Alliance, Haji Shireen Afridi, who said multiple jirga efforts had failed to bring lasting peace.
“We held jirgas twice with the Khawarij. After that, responsibility was handed over to the provincial government and the elders of Tirah, but both efforts failed,” Afridi told the gathering.
The term Khawarij is referred to terrorists based in Afghanistan and involved in cross-border terror attacks in Pakistan.
Elders said provincial authorities, including political leaders from Khyber district, were present during all stages of consultations leading to the temporary evacuation, and that claims of ignorance by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government officials were false.
Administrative failures
Senior alliance leader Malik Hashim said displacement was the result of militancy, administrative failures and conflicting positions taken by provincial authorities.
He referred to a series of failed negotiations following terrorist violence in the area, including the killing of 21 people in Akakhel.
Hashim said tribal elders had demanded a formal apology from senior provincial officials but were instead drawn into meetings that produced no results.
“A 93-member jirga formed to engage terrorist groups collapsed after parliamentarians withdrew,” he said, adding that consultations had taken place over the past two years with senior civil and security officials.
The jirga said the law and order situation in Upper Bara and the Bara plain areas had become alarming and required urgent intervention.
It announced the launch of a peace movement in Bara, starting immediately, aimed at ensuring a safe environment for residents.
Elders also urged the provincial government to fulfil its constitutional responsibility to protect citizens and curb kidnapping for ransom and intimidation.
The Bara Political Alliance reaffirmed its commitment to stand with the Tirah affectees at every forum until their rights were secured.
‘Charge sheet against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa govt
The jirga’s conclusions drew a strong response from the federal government. Information Minister Ataullah Tarar termed the gathering a “charge sheet” against the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, alleging poor governance and corruption.
“This is a major charge sheet against the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government,” Tarar told a private television channel.
“The Rs4 billion allocated for relief, registration and assistance have no accountability.”
He accused provincial leaders of focusing on political rhetoric while failing to address conditions on the ground, demanding a public apology to the people of Tirah.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry echoed the criticism, saying the jirga’s findings exposed what he described as a “false narrative” constructed by the provincial authorities.
He alleged that a large portion of the allocated funds had fallen victim to corruption and embezzlement.
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority, evacuations from Tirah began on January 10.
So far, about 11,400 families have been registered, with more than 10,000 relocated to safer areas, including Bara and Peshawar, amid worsening security and harsh winter conditions.
