KP govt to engage Pashtun Tahafuz Movement

• Apex committee forms Jirga to negotiate with PTM

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government on Tuesday initiated the negotiation process with Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) through a traditional Jirga, comprising elders from Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and various districts of Malakand Division.

The decision was taken at the KP Apex Committee meeting, which was attended by KP governor, chief minister and Peshawar corps commander. The jirga is going to be headed by the KP governor and is reportedly in contact with the PTM leaders.

The apex committee’s decision to negotiate with PTM comes after Manzoor Pashteen, while addressing a rally at Lahore’s Mochi Gate, had said, “Our first demand was the arrest of Rao Anwar and justice for Naqeebullah Mehsud. Our second demand is to put an end to extrajudicial killings and bring the perpetrators to justice, so that the thousands of Pashtuns who do not have the basic right to life can have justice.”

He had also announced to form a ‘Truth and Reconciliation Commission’ to address the plight of people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA.

On the other hand, Peshawar Corps Commander Lt Gen Nazir Butt on Tuesday expressed reservations that anti-state slogans being chanted by PTM were being exploited by foreign powers which were unhappy with the return of peace and stability in the region.

“The government and certain other quarters are also very critical and unhappy over the support of western countries for the PTM through social media,” he added.

Talking to a select group of journalists, he said that those involved in terrorist activities will be tried in courts, including Qari Ehsanullah Ehsan who will soon be produced before a court.

The corps commander further said that the elders and parents of suspected terrorists who fled to Afghanistan are seeking amnesty for them, adding that the power to grant amnesty and formulating a policy about it rests with the government.

“7,000 to 8,000 militants are hiding across the border in Afghanistan,” the corps commander remarked and added that these terrorists will beg for amnesty now since it’s hard for them to spread terror anymore.

During the press briefing, the military officers informed that in recent years, at least 14 operations were conducted against militants in Dir, Bajaur, Mohmand and Khyber agencies and their border areas along with Afghanistan, which were fruitful. “Militants hiding along the Pak-Afghan border were involved in terrorism in Swat, Dir, Peshawar and Charsadda regions,” Corps Commander Nazir Ahmed remarked, adding, “Peaceful atmosphere exists there now.”

Regarding the fencing of Pak-Afghan border, the military officers informed that it was in the progress and around 470-kilometre area was fenced so far. The remaining area would be fenced by end of 2019, they said.

The corps commander said that fencing is an arduous task which was completed with efforts of army personnel and cooperation of tribesmen in different agencies of FATA. “Likewise, construction of 147 out of 443 security forces’ check posts and forts along the border with Afghanistan has also been completed,” he added.

With the completion of Border Management System on main crossing points with Afghanistan, bilateral trade is also increasing between the two countries, Lt Gen Nazir Ahmad Butt said, adding that crossing points at Torkham and Kharlachi are open for traffic and transportation whereas Ghulam Khan Border would be inaugurated by the prime minister in a few days.

Acknowledging the hardships the tribesmen will face during the process, the corps commander resolved that a mechanism will be evolved to facilitate trade once the fencing and border management system is put in place. He added that the government is determined to address the genuine problems of tribesmen and ensure that they get livelihood sources at their doorsteps.

Regarding maintenance of law and order in the region, he said that there is no need of peace committees and so-called ‘peace lashkars’. He added that law and order were the domains of the government and the parliament, adding that the future of those who remain linked with the militant groups also rests with the government.

Lt Gen Nazir Butt also confirmed that military check posts were being gradually abolished and the charge was being handed over to the civil administration all over FATA and Malakand division. He added that the government already has a plan for abolishing all check posts between Torkham and Peshawar.

“From May 1, only one checkpoint will exist at Torkham, and till Peshawar, no one will stop a truck, taxi or other vehicles,” he affirmed.