On Wednesday, an 80-member Pashtun Jirga convened for the first time since the pivotal Pashtun National Court session on October 11. Appointed by the Grand Jirga, these representatives have taken their initial steps toward achieving the resolutions set forth by Pashtun leaders, with a firm resolve to see their goals through. One of their primary actions includes sending a delegation to Kurram district to work towards establishing peace in the violence-stricken region.
However, the Jirga faces a formidable challenge in the form of persistent repression by the Punjabi Pak elites. The Punjabi Pak Army continues to enforce a harsh regime of arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and intimidation tactics, including the blocking of ID cards and passports for Pashtuns.
From Waziristan, Bannu, and Lakki Marwat to Dera Ismail Khan, Bajaur, Kurram, and beyond, Pashtun communities have been gripped by violence, with frequent bombings, targeted killings, and widespread insecurity becoming a daily reality. For many Pashtuns, the relentless cycle of violence has left them feeling marginalized and vulnerable in their own homeland.
Moreover, the alliance between Pak military forces and its inbred – radical militants such as TTP is deepening this crisis. Reportedly, these militants are often seen freely moving alongside military personnel in these regions, while voices critical of military abuses face severe repercussions. Anyone speaking out against the oppression of the Pashtun people is often labeled as a foreign agent, traitor, or conspirator, facing potential charges of sedition or even extrajudicial execution.
The Jirga’s gathering marks a crucial moment for Pashtun leaders committed to reclaiming their community’s dignity, value, and right to self-determination.