Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday chaired an important tribal jirga in Peshawar to deliberate on the deteriorating law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in the tribal districts.

According to official sources, the meeting was being attended by Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, tribal elders, and members of both the National Assembly and the Provincial Assembly.

Participants were being given a comprehensive briefing on the province’s security dynamics, with a special focus on countering the recent surge in militant activities. Sources say that significant decisions are expected to emerge from the jirga, aimed at restoring sustainable peace and eradicating extremism in the region.

The inclusion of tribal elders in the consultation was being hailed as a positive development. The government’s move to involve local communities in the policymaking process is seen as an effort to ensure long-term peace and gain grassroots support for future initiatives.

PM Shehbaz addresses the Jirga; announces committee to review KP’s share in NFC

Addressing a tribal Jirga in Peshawar, the prime minister said, “It is a matter of great pride for me to participate in this Jirga. I welcome all participants and have come here to listen to the problems faced by the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.”

He praised the courage of the people of KP, calling it “the land of brave and honourable people,” and said that the province is among the most beautiful regions of Pakistan. He also recalled KP’s historic support for Pakistan during the 1947 referendum and said its people’s sacrifices would never be forgotten.

“We must equip the KP police with modern resources. Funds for counterterrorism efforts in KP will continue to be provided,” he stated.

PM Shehbaz also announced that a special committee would be formed to review KP’s share in the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award. He said the province had been allocated Rs700 billion under the counterterrorism agenda of the 2010 NFC framework.

Commenting on the May 7 Indian aggression, the prime minister said, “India martyred our people and then threatened to cut off our water supply. Let it be known that water is our red line.”

He commended the armed forces and Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir for giving a “befitting response” to India, adding, “India will remember this lesson for generations. The Modi government is licking its wounds.”

KP CM demands exemption from taxes for former FATA

Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur has called on the federal government to exempt the former Federally and Provincially Administered Tribal Areas (FATA and PATA) from taxes, citing the region’s economic hardships and the sacrifices its people have made in the war against terrorism.

He emphasised that the merged districts have been severely affected by terrorism and require substantial investment for recovery and development.

The chief minister said, “The residents of these regions have made tremendous sacrifices for the country. The government must honour all commitments made to the victims of militancy.”

He stressed the need for unity in the face of external threats and lauded the political consensus shown against Indian aggression.

Ali Amin Gandapur also urged the federal government to involve Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in ongoing dialogue processes with neighbouring Afghanistan, stating that “talks will remain incomplete without KP’s inclusion.”

The jirga was part of the federal government’s broader strategy to enhance coordination between civilian and military leadership and incorporate tribal perspectives into state-led peacebuilding efforts.