KP Amn Jirga issues 15-point declaration to restore peace in province

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Amn Jirga participants on Wednesday issued 15-point unanimous declaration to restore peace in the province.

A historic Aman Jirga was convened in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, hosted by Speaker Babar Saleem Swati.

The event saw participation from Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, Opposition Leader Dr. Ibadullah, PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Junaid Akbar Khan, as well as leaders from various political parties, tribal elders, scholars, civil society representatives, and other stakeholders from across the province.

In his address at the Aman Jirga, Speaker Babar Saleem Swati welcomed the attendees wholeheartedly, stating, “We have gathered here for a common goal: establishing peace, transcending our names, political affiliations, and nationalities.”

He noted that after extensive consultations and dialogues over the past two and a half months, it became clear that collective thinking and joint efforts are essential for establishing peace.

Swati remarked, “In the past 24 years, there have been 22 major military operations and thousands of smaller ones, yet lasting peace remains elusive. Today, many displaced families from 2006 are still far from their homes.”

He acknowledged the bravery of the armed forces but emphasised that peace cannot be achieved through military operations alone, as civilians have suffered the most. He mentioned that two and a half billion rupees have been spent on the rehabilitation of internally displaced persons in Bajaur alone, highlighting the urgent need for a new, comprehensive approach to peace.

To this end, the Assembly has established a security committee that will engage with all stakeholders to promote peace. Swati emphasised, “There will be no political score-settling regarding the issue of peace. This is about the future of our province and the generations to come, and we must unite.”

He called for a move away from blame politics, urging that practical steps be taken. A collaborative and lasting peace policy will be developed with the consensus of all parties involved, aiming to transform Khyber Pakhtunkhwa into a cradle of sustainable peace.

Leaders from various political and tribal backgrounds spoke at the event, expressing their views and demonstrating support for the Aman Jirga. They characterised the initiative as a significant step towards peace and stability in the province.

Unanimous Declaration of the Jirga

At the conclusion of the Jirga, all participating political parties, tribal elders, scholars, and civic leaders issued a unanimous declaration, titled the “Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Peace Jirga Declaration.” Key points included in the declaration focused on establishing peace, ensuring constitutional rights, achieving economic stability, and fostering national harmony:

The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reject all forms of violence, and the provincial government and assembly must take all possible measures to establish peace.

Effective legislation should be enacted and implemented to restore law and order.

The capacities of the police, Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), and other law enforcement agencies should be enhanced to combat terrorism, along with financial assistance being provided to the families of martyrs, and resources allocated to the province under the National Action Plan.

A coordinated security and social policy should be formulated for the border and tribal areas to dismantle terrorist networks.

In light of rising inflation in the province, unnecessary taxes should be repealed.

The federal government should urgently pay the dues and loans owed to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to ensure development projects are not compromised.

Reforms in the pension and salary systems for provincial employees should be prioritised, and financial assistance from the federal government should be secured.

A permanent coordination forum should be established between the federal and provincial governments to ensure financial balance and equitable distribution of resources.

The National Finance Commission (NFC) and Provincial Finance Commission (PFC) should be activated to safeguard provincial resources.

The following measures should be implemented to secure constitutional and financial rights from the federation:
Net Hydel Profit (NHP)
Federal Excise Duty on Oil
Provision of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s share of water
Provincial priority in natural gas (Article 158)
NFC shares in proportion to the population of the merged districts
Implementation of the 11th NFC Award
Galiyat drinking water project
Protection of the province’s commercial and economic rights under Articles 151 to 158.

This declaration represents a united commitment to addressing the needs of the province and striving for lasting peace and stability.