Bajaur Peace Jirga and TTP Conclude Initial Discussions

The preliminary round of negotiations between the Bajaur Peace Jirga and the proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) concluded on Friday, with the TTP delegation requesting additional time to deliberate with their leadership before providing a definitive answer.

Sources within the jirga suggest that the subsequent session of discussions is anticipated to occur today. Members of the peace jirga engaged with Frontier Corps (FC) representatives at the Bajaur Scouts Headquarters and convened with TTP representatives at Jamia Masjid Zagai, situated in Mamond Tehsil.

Dr. Khalil-ur-Rehman, Chairman of the Mamond Tehsil Council and a jirga member, communicated to the media: “We have urged the armed factions to either repatriate to Afghanistan or, should they be committed to engaging in combat, to vacate populated areas and relocate towards mountainous regions.”

In response, the Taliban contingent requested an extension until Saturday to confer with their commanders. They conveyed a readiness to persist with the dialogue process and affirmed that a cessation of hostilities would remain enforced from their side until that time.

Following the assembly, the jirga participants journeyed back to Bajaur.

These discussions are regarded as a noteworthy advancement towards reducing strain in the area, which has undergone a recent surge in acts of violence and insurgent operations.