Participants in the KP Peace Jirga demand coordinated political action to eradicate terrorism.

Restoring peace in the province is the government’s main goal, according to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who also emphasized that “decisions must be made collectively with political leaders rather than behind closed doors” in order to eradicate terrorism.

Speaker Babar Saleem Swati presided over a Peace Jirga in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly during which the statements were made. The provincial government called the jirga to discuss the worsening state of law and order and to come up with plans to combat militancy.

Along with leaders from prominent political parties such as the Awami National Party (ANP), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), and opposition leader from the PML-N, Ibadullah Khan, Governor KP Faisal Karim Kundi attended the event at the government’s invitation.

“We are fighting for peace,” CM Sohail Afridi told the jirga. The jirga today will assist in identifying a long-term solution to the terrorist threat. The elimination of terrorism is a prerequisite for peace.

“We must step out of closed rooms and make collective decisions with political leaders,” he said, highlighting the necessity of a long-term strategy to fight terrorism. Everybody has given up something. We are not getting the Rs 400 billion that is our NFC portion. Nobody has the right to challenge us if even one percent is withheld because of terrorism.

“Politics may differ, but peace is our common goal,” the chief minister added. Bombs don’t differentiate between PTI and PPP followers when they detonate. In this battle, all citizens, politicians, and security officials have made sacrifices. 2018 saw the return of peace, but terrorism is back on the rise.

“We welcome peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan,” Afridi remarked in reference to the relationship between the two countries. The last resort should always be war.

“Some people feel uncomfortable when we talk about peace,” he bemoaned, adding that previous decisions made in isolation had not succeeded in putting an end to terrorism. “Politicians, security personnel, and other interested parties should all contribute to the development of a coordinated policy. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will experience long-lasting peace if everyone adopts that policy, he said.