KP CM given task to negotiate with “angry” groups

Peshawar: To maintain law and order situation in the province, a grand jirga has given task to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to negotiate with dissenting groups.

Headed by KP CM Ali Amin Gandapur, KP government on Thursday held a grand jirga, attended by top state officials including Interior Minister Mohasin Naqvi, KP governor Faisal Karim Kundi and others.

Jirga discussed current political and security situation in the province and reach a consensus plan of action after a three-day Pashtoon Qaumi Jirga was announced by the banned Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM).

According to a declaration issued after the sitting, CM Gandapur, at the participants' request, announced the formation of a new jirga, which he will lead, to engage in talks with dissenting parties in hopes of resolving KP's political and security crisis amicably.

It further said that the chief minister thanked the Grand Jirga participants for empowering him to hold dialogue. It added that the process of formulating the next strategy and consultations for peaceful resolution of KP issues would be completed at the earliest.

They added that the development came after the chief minister sought authority from the Grand Jirga participants to hold talks with a banned organisation.

"I'm ready to sit on the floor with the second party for negotiations," the sources quoted Gandapur as saying at the Grand Jirga.

He also referred to a clash between KP police and Manzoor Pashteen-led PTM workers on the boundary between Khyber district and the provincial capital as the banned party announced holding a jirga from October 11.