Muhammad Saqlain Kanjan


The war on terror unleashed violence, killing, and brutality against innocent people, particularly in Pakistan's ex-FATA region, now merged into the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The people of the Khyber Valley had been living peaceful and prosperous lives until the war on terror tore apart their existence. This long, devastating war created a sense of deprivation, resentment, and alienation in the minds of the people from the tribal areas. The war on terror brought nothing but destruction to Pakistan. The decision-makers of Pakistan took a myopic view in handling militancy in the tribal areas, and Pakistan paid an irreparable price. 

A recent jirga, a traditional assembly or council of elders, a key institution in Pashtun society, particularly in the tribal areas, demanded the basic and fundamental rights of the people in these regions. This significant jirga presents many positive takeaways for the state of Pakistan. It is a decisive moment for the decision-makers to handle the situation with intellect instead of force. Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton once said, "We cannot win a war against terrorism without winning the hearts and minds of the people who have been caught in its crossfire." This reflects the need to manage the emotions and grievances of the Pashtuns toward the state of Pakistan.

This jirga was convened by the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) on October 12 and 13 in Jamrud, Khyber District, in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. This Qaumi Adalat was called to address the grievances of the people from the tribal districts. Thousands of people from across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan attended. The PTM shared a list of proposals to ensure peace, prosperity, and progress in the region, demanding that the army and the Taliban leave the area. PTM leader Manzoor Pashteen warned the Pakistan Armed Forces and Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan to vacate the area within sixty days, after which the elders of the jirga would decide how to govern the tribal areas according to Pashtunwali, the local unwritten code of law.

The demand for the Pakistan Army to leave the area seems impractical, given the increasing militancy. Unfortunately, even after two decades, we have been unable to control terrorism, despite paying the price by sacrificing hundreds of lives in this so-called war on terror. This has fostered a sense of alienation among the people of Khyber toward state institutions. 

Meeting the demands of the people of Khyber is crucial for restoring trust in state institutions, addressing long-standing marginalization, and fostering national unity. Decades of conflict and military operations have left the region deeply alienated, and ignoring these grievances risks perpetuating instability and violence. By addressing their legitimate concerns—such as calls for political representation, to remove the check posts, clear landmines, and resume cross-border trade through traditional routes, usage of natural resources for local development,—the government can reduce the appeal of militancy, promote peace, and encourage sustainable development. Winning the hearts and minds of the local population is essential for counterterrorism efforts, as economic and social progress will help integrate the region fully into the national framework. This is a decisive step not only to prevent future conflicts but to strengthen Pakistan's security and stability in the long term.