KP Chief Minister Empowered to Lead Talks for Peace Following Grand Jirga

Peshawar—A Grand Jirga organized by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has empowered Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to lead peace negotiations with dissenting parties in a bid to address the province’s law and order situation. The jirga, held at the CM House on Thursday, brought together top officials, including Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, Federal Minister Amir Muqam, lawmakers, and representatives from various political parties.

The jirga focused on political and security issues in the province, and according to a declaration issued after the meeting, CM Gandapur was authorized to form a separate jirga under his leadership to engage with opposing factions and find a peaceful resolution to ongoing conflicts.

In his address, CM Gandapur thanked the participants for entrusting him with the responsibility of dialogue and announced plans to host another jirga aimed at resolving the province’s political and security crises. The terms of reference (ToRs) for the upcoming jirga were finalized during the high-level meeting, though the members of the negotiation body are yet to be decided.

According to sources, the chief minister sought the authority to engage in talks with a banned organization, expressing his willingness to negotiate directly. The request came in light of a recent clash between KP police and the outlawed Pakhtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) near the boundary between Khyber district and Peshawar, which resulted in the deaths of three individuals and injuries to 15 others.

CM Gandapur also requested the jirga participants, including Interior Minister Naqvi, to delay any further actions until after the dialogue process. In response, Naqvi assured the federal government’s support, stating that it had no objections to the talks led by the KP chief minister.

Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif, Adviser to the KP CM on Information, praised the consensus achieved among the political party leaders to prioritize peace in the province. He confirmed that CM Gandapur had been granted full authority to pursue peaceful solutions and expressed confidence in his leadership.

Consultations are ongoing between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, CM Gandapur, Interior Minister Naqvi, and Governor Kundi to formulate the next steps for resolving KP’s challenges.