ISLAMABAD; Federal Minister for Frontier Affairs Amir Muqam on Thursday announced that the federal government will participate in the upcoming peace jirga convened by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to address the worsening law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The announcement came during a joint press conference held in Islamabad alongside PTI senior leader Asad Qaiser.
Earlier this week, the PTI had called for a peace jirga to be held on November 12 at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, aimed at formulating a joint strategy for peace and security in the province.
Speaking at the press conference, Asad Qaiser said, “We are grateful to the federal government for accepting our invitation. The province’s leadership must come together to chalk out a united action plan for peace.”
Amir Muqam, in response to a question, said that PTI had presented “the reason for our meeting” and that the federal government agreed with the need for collective efforts. “They said they wanted peace, and we are all one on this issue,” Muqam added.
Separately, Asad Qaiser posted on X (formerly Twitter) that his delegation also met National Awami Party (NAP) Chairman Aftab Ahmad Sherpao and invited him to attend the November 12 peace jirga.
He described Sherpao as an “important leader of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa” and said that his experience and input would be valuable in the discussions.
“Peace and security are our shared concerns that transcend political differences,” Qaiser wrote.
Meanwhile, Awami National Party (ANP) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Mian Iftikhar Hussain said that the party would hold internal consultations before confirming its participation in the jirga.
Speaking at a joint press conference with PTI leader and CM’s Adviser Shafiullah Jan, he said, “We will inform the PTI and the media after completing consultations. We are thankful for the invitation.”
Hussain also recalled that a previous all-parties jirga had been successful, leading to the formation of an organising committee with representation from all political parties. However, he noted that some parties had yet to be contacted for the upcoming event.
PTI KP Secretary General Ali Asghar Khan clarified that, unlike the earlier jirga convened by the chief minister, this one had been called by the KP Assembly Speaker. “The Speaker has formed a committee and is engaging all parties to ensure inclusive participation,” he stated.
