K-P jirga opposes new anti-terror initiative

The PTI on Wednesday passed a resolution in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa tribal jirga against the anti-terror initiative ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ and for the release of its founding chairman Imran Khan. According to details, the K-P’s ruling party organised a tribal jirga in connection with ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ that was attended by leaders and dignitaries from the tribes of the province. The central and provincial leadership of the PTI also participated in the jirga. Addressing the jirga, K-P Information Adviser Barrister Saif made it clear that the people would never allow such an operation to be launched on their land until they and their elected representatives were taken on board. “We have been suffering the consequences from 1979 until now,” he added. Saif continued that any decision made without taking parliament, the provincial government and people into confidence would be “unconstitutional” and “undemocratic”. “No decision about the country’s affairs can be taken without parliament’s approval. Parliament includes the Senate and the four provincial assemblies.” Saif demanded that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif disclose the details of Operation Azm-e-Istehkam and its objectives. “Ever since this operation has been announced, the people are in a state of uneasiness and distress. That is why they have been expressing their resentment and displeasure.” The provincial adviser maintained that they too opposed terrorism but a solution could be found to address the issue. He continued that they were unwilling to allow anyone to act on “foreign dictation”. Mahmood Khan Achakzai, the head of the opposition alliance Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP), also addressed the gathering. He said they should not be pushed into moving the international court. He added that the entire population of the K-P paid the cost for the crackdown against 3% of the terrorists present within it. Speaking on the occasion, PTI leader and former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser said if peace could not be established in K-P’s tribal districts, the whole country would remain in a state of unrest. The jirga passed a resolution opposing Azm-e-Istehkam, with participants demanding that the matter be debated in the national and provincial assemblies, involving all stakeholders. The jirga also approved a resolution for the removal of obstacles curtailing trade with Afghanistan. The resolution further called for effectively conducting negotiations with the jirgas at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Additionally, a resolution calling for the release of PTI leaders and workers, including the party’s founding chairman, who they claimed had been detained on political charges, was approved. Another resolution recognising the local population’s right to its natural resources was also passed by a show of hands. Saif said the approved resolutions would be presented in the provincial assembly.

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