A high-level tribal jirga held in Peshawar concluded today, emphasizing the urgent need for a ceasefire while reinforcing Pakistan’s position that peace must be anchored in concrete action against terrorism.
The gathering, spanning two days, brought together political leaders, tribal elders, religious scholars, and civil society representatives. Participants stressed that dialogue, while important, cannot replace decisive measures to prevent cross-border use of territory by terrorist groups, including the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
In its joint declaration, the jirga called for strict adherence to a ceasefire and emphasized that any de-escalation must be accompanied by effective monitoring and state control. Delegates underscored that sustainable peace requires tangible actions to eliminate networks and infrastructure enabling terrorist activity.
Practical steps for confidence-building were also highlighted, including the proposal for a permanent platform for ongoing communication and timely resolution of issues between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Speakers reiterated that all disputes must be resolved through diplomacy and negotiations rather than armed conflict, reflecting a continuation of the consensus reached during the first day of the jirga.
The forum’s discussions sent a clear message: Pakistan remains committed to peace, but it will not compromise its security. Participants agreed that achieving lasting stability depends on aligning dialogue with verifiable, actionable measures on the ground.
