In the wake of reconciliatory efforts on the part of Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the three-day Grand Pakhtoon Jirga commenced at Ghundai-Reegi connecting Jamrud Khyber with Peshawar. Peshawar is the sixth most populous city of Pakistan with over 4.7 million in the 2023 census, and it is the capital city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Thousands of people gathered in the Jirga, and the aim of this three-day assembly is to address forced disappearances, insecurity, and violence in Pashtun-majority areas of Pakistan.
Due to Tuesday and Wednesday security forces, organizers and volunteers have faced multiple issues and hurdles in arrangements. “Almost all of their tents, sound and light systems have already been impounded and destroyed by security forces but we are trying to finalize all arrangements as soon as possible,” remarked banned PTM activist Khairul Amin from Swabi.
He said that plastic sheets, tents and other items are on the way to the venue of Jirga from different places. Thousands of people, mostly youngsters from different areas, are pouring in Ghundai Jamrud to attend the Jirga. Amin said that around 80 sites (tent villages) were established for the accommodation of people. Similarly, food and other arrangements were also finalized.
Most of the participants are attaching great hopes with Jirga. Senior political activist Ms Asmat Shah Jehan said, “we want nothing else but peace and for the purposes they are confident about the results of PTM struggle.” She said that Pushtoons have suffered a lot in the last four decades and now they deserve peace.”
Pushtoons are facing too much humiliation in Rawalpindi, Islamabad and other main cities and towns of Punjab
Irfan Khan who came from Rawalpindi said, “We Pushtoons are facing too much humiliation in Rawalpindi, Islamabad and other main cities and towns of Punjab, therefore, we are requesting Manzoor and PTM to raise voices against this humiliation. Ms Nasima Kakar from Quetta Balochistan said, “on the pretext of terrorism and extremism, Pushtoons suffered a lot and it is Manzoor Pashteen who initiated a big voice against it.”
Earlier, efforts for settling the situation erupted with Wednesday firing against banned PTM workers proved successful late on Thursday night and Chief Minister Ali Amin said, “Grand Jirga will be held peacefully, and he will be its host.”
Earlier the day long talks and consultations were held at Chief Minister house, Governor House and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly. Besides others, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also attended the day-long dialogues, which concluded with the empowering of the Chief Minister for settling the situation. Prior to becoming Chief Minister, a jirga headed by Speaker Salim Swati landed at Jamrud and held detailed talks with the PTM delegation. Later the Chief Minister and Manzoor Pashteen also joined the dialogue process, which concluded successfully.
