A grand public Jirga was held in Mingora to restore peace in the Swat valley, 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Saturday.  

A number of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa legislators, IG Police, Chief Secretary, Inspector General Frontier Constabulary (North), members of civil society, and local elders attended the Jirga. The political leadership of Swat, Buner, and Shangla participated in the Jirga. Teachers, students, scholars, and local elders were also part of the meeting.

The participants agreed on joint efforts for restoring peace in Swat vehemently.  They expressed their resolve not to spare any sacrifice for peace. The participants presented their point of view openly in the Jirga.

The speakers in the Jirga vowed that the blood of martyrs will not be allowed to go in vain. The Jirga also reviewed the measures to ensure peace and stability.

On the occasion, officials assured the Jirga participants that security and peace will be maintained at all costs in the valley.  “No group or individual will be allowed to affect the peace and economic activities of the area, officials pledged.

They recalled that the security forces brought peace to the valley after a long struggle with the help of the local brave people.

The official said that a few elements are trying to create instability for nefarious purposes and they will not be allowed to succeed.

Whatever the cost, the state writ will be restored, they assured the Jirga.

The locals vowed to stand with law enforcement agencies against pressure groups targeting peace in Swat.

“We are together against the enemies, even now efforts to create division among us will fail”, they determined.

It is pertinent that traditionally Jirgas have served as a mechanism for resolving communal and tribal conflicts in Afghanistan and the tribal areas of Pakistan. Jirga members are often notable and local power-holders whose decisions are respected and thus accepted by the people. Jirga members are often notable and local power-holders whose decisions are respected and thus accepted by the people.

Reporter: Ahmad Mansoor