Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister, Ali Amin Gandapur, announced on Thursday that the provincial government will consult with the federal government before sending a jirga (tribal council) to Afghanistan to discuss the growing issue of terrorism in KP.
Speaking with Geo News, CM Gandapur highlighted the region’s vulnerability due to its shared border of more than 2,600 kilometers with Afghanistan, a country affected by decades of conflict. He emphasized that the lack of decisive action from Afghan authorities against terrorist sanctuaries has led to frequent cross-border attacks targeting Pakistan’s security forces and civilians.
One recent incident involved the death of the son of the deputy governor of Afghanistan’s Badghis province, who was among four militants killed in KP, according to Radio Pakistan.
CM Gandapur further revealed that a Jirga, composed of various tribal representatives, would be sent to Kabul to engage in discussions with the Afghan interim government.
KP Chief Minister’s Information Adviser, Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, stressed the interconnectedness of peace between Afghanistan and Pakistan, emphasizing the importance of fostering strong economic, political, and cultural ties for mutual benefit. He added that both countries share common goals of peace and strengthening business relations.
Sources disclosed that Afghan authorities had reached out to the provincial government, indicating that initial talks would precede a larger, grand Jirga.
Last month, CM Gandapur had previously announced plans to send a delegation of tribal elders to Afghanistan, expressing frustration with the lack of progress in talks between the federal government and Afghan authorities. He voiced optimism that the Afghan side would cooperate with the proposed Jirga.
The military’s top leadership also expressed serious concerns over the use of Afghan soil by terrorists against Pakistan. During the 267th Corps Commanders’ Conference, which took place at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, the military emphasized the need for concrete actions by the Afghan government. The forum called for decisive measures against the terrorist group, Fitna Al Khawarij, instead of continuing to deny the situation.
According to the “CRSS Annual Security Report 2024” by the Centre for Security and Strategic Studies, 2024 was the deadliest year for Pakistan’s civil and military security forces in over a decade, with at least 685 fatalities and 444 terror attacks. The report revealed a significant rise in civilian and security personnel losses, with 1,612 fatalities, accounting for over 63% of total casualties. KP experienced the highest number of fatalities, with 1,616 deaths, followed by Balochistan with 782.
The year 2024 witnessed a total of 2,546 violence-related deaths and 2,267 injuries, stemming from 1,166 incidents of terrorism and counter-terror operations. This marked one of the most devastating years in Pakistan’s recent security history.
