PTM-called jirga in Jamrud draws massive response

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Pashtun Justice Tribal Jirga has kicked off in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, says a media report.

The jirga entered its second day on Saturday with a speech from Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) leader Manzoor Pashteen, the BBC reported.

Thousands of people from various parts of Pakistan have gathered at the event to discuss the challenges and pressures Pakhtuns are facing today.

In his key-note address, Pashteen called for peace and rule of law in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stressing the importance of non-violence.

“War has failed to provide any solutions in the past. We demand peace, justice and law and order in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa like other provinces of the country,” he remarked.

A two-hour documentary was screened that highlighted the devastating impact of violence and displacement in the northwestern province.

According to the documentary, at least 76,584 people from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been killed in bombings, shootings and other attacks over the years, while an estimated 6,700 others remain missing.

Images showed thousands of people gathered near the tents of the massive tribal assembly, chanting slogans against terrorism and chaos in the region.

The Pashtun Justice Tribal Jirga was initially scheduled for Friday, October 11, but according to PTM members, police attempts to scuttle the gathering delayed the event, .

The Pashtun Justice Tribal Jirga is expected to continue for three days.

Organisers put up 60 enclosures for attendees and the provincial government supplied tents, a sound system, power generators, drinking water and food.

Some delegates were given survey reports compiled by PTM teams in the last several months about the damage by militancy and military operations.

Pashteen noted the participation of so many Pakhtuns and their leaders in the jirga signaled their willingness to change their destiny despite challenges.

He apologised for the shortage of facilities and mismanagement on day one of the event. He illustrated the difficulties faced by PTM workers from the state machinery ahead of the event.

He commented: “We have neither waged a war on our rivals nor plundered their resources, nor usurped their rights. Instead, we always faced subjugation and rights denial.”

ANP central president Aimal Wali Khan led his party’s delegation at the jirga, which was also attended by former governor Ghulam Ali of JUI-F, MNA Atif Khan of PTI and former senator Mushtaq Ahmad of the the Jamaat-i-Islam.

kk/mud