The federal government has agreed to lift the ban on the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) with certain conditions following a multiparty grand jirga in Peshawar. The ban was imposed citing threats to national peace and security, but now it is being temporarily held in abeyance to allow the PTM to hold its scheduled Pashtoon Qaumi Jirga. Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has empowered a provincial government jirga to hold talks with the banned PTM for resolving issues.
During the grand jirga, political leaders expressed solidarity with the PTM activists and condemned the police action against them. Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur emphasized that public gatherings are a constitutional right. The interior ministry did not oppose the grand jirga’s proposals and appreciated the unity among political leadership in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for peaceful resolution.
The jirga members visited Khyber district for talks with PTM representatives, but the meeting did not take place as the PTM’s representatives were yet to arrive. With extensive discussions and confidence in the chief minister, the jirga aims to resolve the matter peacefully.
Published in Dawn, October 11th, 2024