In the wake of recent terrorist attacks that claimed the lives of nine Khawarij and injured three security officials in Hangu and Orakzai, a grand peace jirga was convened in Hangu and Orakzai, signaling a powerful display of public solidarity with the state against terrorism.
Organised jointly by the district administrations of Hangu and Orakzai in collaboration with the Thall Scouts, the jirga brought together a wide spectrum of participants, including senior government officials, security leadership, tribal elders, and elected public representatives. The central aim: to reinforce coordination for lasting peace and strengthen public collaboration with state institutions.
Key figures present at the jirga included Major General Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti, General Officer Commanding 9 Division, the Regional Police Officer and Commissioner of Kohat, Commandant Thall Scouts N.A. Yousaf Khan, as well as the deputy commissioners and district police officers of both Hangu and Orakzai.
Prominent elders from areas such as Zargari, Naryab, Shanawari, Doaba, Torawari, Dilan, and Upper and Lower Orakzai took part, condemning in strong terms the recent attacks, especially those targeting the Hangu DPO, a Thall Scouts colonel, and a local SHO.
Tribal elders unanimously pledged full cooperation with state institutions and declared they would neither shelter nor support terrorists in any form. “No one will be allowed to disrupt the peace of this land,” they asserted.
Addressing the gathering, Major General Zulfiqar Bhatti stated,
“The menace of the Khawarij is like a grain of salt in flour, they cannot undo our peace. We will not rest until they are fully eliminated. There will be no forgiveness for terrorists.”
He called on the public to rise above fear and stand shoulder to shoulder with state institutions in the fight against terrorism.
The grand jirga served as a resounding message: the people of Hangu and Orakzai are united with their security forces, determined to defeat those who threaten peace and stability in the region.
