PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has decided to engage with tribes residing on both sides of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in an effort to curb militancy and restore peace in the region.
Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, Adviser to the KP Chief Minister on Information, stated that the initiative aims to maintain stability in the province, given that Pashtun communities share deep-rooted ties across the 2,650-kilometre border.
Speaking on Thursday, Mr. Saif mentioned that the provincial government was in the process of drafting Terms of Reference (TORs) for discussions with tribes across the border. Due to the sensitive nature of Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, the draft would require approval from the federal government before any formal engagement could take place.
Once endorsed, a delegation comprising tribal elders, religious figures, and political representatives would be dispatched to Afghanistan for talks. However, Mr. Saif clarified that the discussions would strictly be held with tribesmen, not militants. He emphasized that such tribal negotiations could lay a strong foundation for ending the prolonged cycle of violence in the region.
Highlighting the provincial government's role, he reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining law and order in the merged tribal districts.
Earlier, on January 13, political leaders had urged the country’s military leadership to initiate talks with Afghanistan to address security concerns. However, during a meeting with political representatives, the Chief of Army Staff reportedly indicated that the Afghan interim government was unresponsive to Pakistan’s concerns.
In response, political leaders suggested alternative approaches to engage with Afghan authorities in hopes of resolving security and border-related issues.
