Jirga convened by KP CM decides on holding talks with Centre, other stakeholders over drone attacks

PESHAWAR: A tribal gathering convened by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Saturday decided that a jirga will be formed to hold talks with the federal government and other stakeholders on drone attacks in the province. In the past few days, CM Afridi has condemned “persistent drone attacks” in KP, even hinting at introducing legislation to criminalise collateral damage in such incidents. On Saturday, a “loya (grand) jirga” was held at CM House, where tribal elders had been invited to decide the future course of action. According to a statement issued by CM House, all participants of the loya jirga demanded “negotiations with stakeholders”, and therefore, it was decided to give talks “another chance”. It was decided that a smaller jirga will be formed, which will hold talks with the federal government and other stakeholders. “If negotiations fail, a march towards Islamabad will be undertaken, and there will be no return until peace is secured,” the statement read. The CM House statement further said that the jirga will also “struggle for the financial and Constitutional rights” promised to the tribal districts at the time of the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas’ (Fata) merger. “When Fata was merged, a promise was made to give us Rs100 billion annually. For the merged districts, this amounts to Rs800bn, of which only Rs168bn have been given,” Afridi was quoted as saying, noting that if the population share of the merged districts was included, KP’s share in the National Finance Commission Award would increase from 14.6 per cent to 19pc. The loss of lives of women, children and elders in drone attacks was strongly condemned during the gathering, the CM House statement said. CM Afridi also “expressed deep regret over the improper conduct towards jirga members at checkpoints today”, stating that such an attitude was breeding hatred among the people. “Starting today, practical measures will be taken to prevent drone attacks,” the statement an