- Manzoor Pashteen voices concerns over state’s high handedness, says it would affect outcomes of talks
- Dawar says they will not oppose punishment awarded to those involved in terrorism
PESHAWAR: In a bid to find out a negotiated settlement to the demands and grievances of the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM), the first round of talks with the members of government constituted traditional jirga was held at the residence of tribal MNA Haji Shah Jee Gul Afridi at Shahkas, Jamrud in Khyber Agency on Wednesday.
Manzoor Pashteen headed the PTM delegation comprising Mohsin Dawar whereas the federal government was represented by Minister of State Ghalib Khan Wazir and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) MNA Dr Ibadullah Khan while the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government was represented by Information Minister Shah Farman.
Besides Haji Shah Jee Gul Afridi, leading elders from different tribal agencies were also a part of the preliminary negotiations between the two sides.
After the completion of first round of talks, Mohsin Dawar told Pakistan Today that they would return to the jirga after consulting the terms and conditions discussed for the formal talks with other PTM leaders, adding that it would take a couple of days.
He said that Pashteen voiced concerns over propaganda of state organs and high ranking authorities against them and registration of cases and arrest of PTM leaders, adding that outcomes of talks could be disappointing in such circumstances. Upon this, the jirga members and government representatives assured of conveying their complaints to concerned quarters, he added.
Mohsin went on to say that they have made it clear that all PTM demands are according to the constitution. “We are patriotic Pakistanis and are determined to live with honour and dignity like citizens of other parts of the country,” he said.
“We didn’t seek mercy or relief for those involved in terrorism but only demanded the production of all missing persons before a court of law,” the PTM representative said, assuring that they will never create hurdles in the awarding of punishment according to law to those who are found guilty of involvement in acts of terrorism.
MNA Haji Shah Jee Gul Afridi said that he along with other parliamentarians were happy with the constitution of the jirga and were hopeful of its positive results. He said that in the next sitting, the jirga would be broadened to give representation to all the parts and parcels of both FATA and KP.
Dawar also confirmed that they were first contacted by the jirga members on April 18, but they suggested meeting after completion of Lahore rally on April 22.
Earlier, the KP government initiated the negotiation process with 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 apex committee’s decision to negotiate with PTM came 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.
Among other demands, the PTM has stressed for the recovery of missing persons, removal of mines from tribal areas and a stop to the intimidation faced by the Pashtuns at the hands of security forces at check posts.
