PA body to review jirga declaration

Opposition, govt pat each other on back for job well done

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has stated that the recently formed full-house parliamentary committee will review the 22-point declaration of the Pashtun Jirga and present recommendations to the federal government.

"Resolutions based on the committee's recommendations will be presented in the provincial assembly. Resolutions concerning provincial matters will be implemented locally, and recommendations will be made to the federal government to address related issues," he revealed.

After his meeting with the CM, Opposition Leader Dr Ibadullah confirmed to the media that consultations regarding on the Pashtun jirga took place and resulted in a full house committee to discuss the declaration in the assembly. After the discussion, the matter will be referred to the relevant committee.

In his speech on the floor of the house during Monday's assembly session, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur stated that the federal government, while exercising constitutional authority, implemented a policy on the National Jirga that resulted in the loss of human lives.

"It is not necessary to use [unnecessary] authority, and when powers are used negatively, the consequences can be dangerous." He assured that the demands of the Pashtun jirga would be fully addressed within the framework of Pakistan's Constitution.

He expressed his gratitude to all parties for forming a parliamentary committee. "We informed the federal government that we should be given the authority for dialogue. The three-day jirga was conducted peacefully, after which 22 demands were presented."

He added that those involved presented their recommendations during the jirga, and it is the state's duty to follow those suggestions instead of imposing its own decisions.

He declared that the demands concerning the province would be fully implemented, and after gathering suggestions from the assembly members, they will decide which issues need to be addressed. "Nothing is impossible, and we should avoid political point-scoring on this matter."

Ali Amin Gandapur concluded by saying that, for the first time, it feels like they are truly representing the people's aspirations. He prayed that they would be able to stand before God with dignity and success.

The opposition in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly praised the provincial government for the peaceful conduct of the Pashtun National Jirga, declaring law and order as the top issue for the province. The opposition commended the roles played by the Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, the K-P chief minister, Speaker of the Assembly, PTM leadership, and supporters during a very critical situation, emphasising that peaceful protest and jirgas are the fundamental rights of every citizen.

They also called for the acceptance of PTM's demands. The opposition stressed that both the government and opposition must unite on a common agenda for the province's interests, with peace and security being the number one issue that must be taken seriously.

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly session, chaired by Speaker Babar Salim Swati, began almost four hours late. After the recitation of the Holy Quran, members submitted a motion requesting the speaker to suspend the regular agenda and allow a discussion on the Pashtun National Jirga.