Latest news with #Jirga
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
PM vows strategic response to India's water threat
Listen to article Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday announced plans to expand country's water storage capacity in consultation with all the provinces, emphasising that Pakistan's response to India's provocations, especially regarding the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), would "be more strategic and collaborative". Addressing a representative Jirga in Peshawar, the prime minister said that Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) had been receiving 1% share under the National Finance Commission (NFC) since 2010 to fight terrorism, adding that the funding would continue until complete elimination of the menace. The prime minister began his speech with paying tribute to the K-P people for their patriotism and bravery in the fight against terrorism. He told the Jirga he had come to Peshawar to listen to the public grievances and to resolve them. The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to securing its water rights under the IWT. He called for urgent measures to enhance the country's water infrastructure to ensure that the rights of the provinces were safeguarded. He said that India could not deprive Pakistan of its rightful share of water or suspend the IWT unilaterally. Pakistan has the right to every drop under the treaty," he declared. "Now, we will take steps to store water in the country to counter India's threats," he said. He called for expanding the existing water storage capacity and accelerating work on major projects, such as Diamer-Bhasha and Dasu dams. "A decision on water issue will be taken by inviting all provinces for discussions on how to increase water reserves, so that India's malicious designs are buried," he said. NFC Award Shehbaz said that K-P Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur had spoken about reviewing the NFC award. He announced that he would form a committee on K-P's share in the NFC award and the province's issues would be resolved in collaboration with the provincial government, and military officials. The prime minister told the Jirga that more than Rs700 billion funds had been given to K-P during different periods. "The first agenda item of the NFC Award in 2010 was anti-terrorism efforts in K-P," Shehbaz recalled. "All provinces fully agreed to giving 1% to K-P for the fight against terrorism," he added. "That decision was just and appropriate, as K-P has remained the frontline province in the war against terrorism," he said. "These funds were released to strengthen police force, develop CTD [Counter-Terrorism Department], and enhance the capacity of law-enforcement agencies," he added. "K-P will continue to receive funds until the complete elimination of terrorism," he added. However, he noted that Balochistan, despite facing similar security challenges, had not received that much financial support under the NFC - an issue he suggested might needed reassessment. Escalation with India Prime Minister Shehbaz said that the Pakistani Armed Force had taught an unforgettable lesson to India in the recent May 7-10 confrontation and warned New Delhi that any repeat of aggression would invite a strong and uncompromising response from Islamabad. Shehbaz said the enemy's ambush in the night between May 6 and 7 killed and injured innocent Pakistanis. "[In response] What the Pakistan Army taught India under the leadership of Field Marshal Asim Munir is a lesson they will never forget," he said. "[Indian Prime Minister Narendra] Modi's government is licking its wounds after a crushing defeat and it is in an angry and hysterical state. Sometimes they threaten to shoot, other times to cut our water off. If India makes any move again, they will be taught the same lesson." The prime minister termed K-P a vital province that has historically supported Pakistan and promised to address the concerns of its people. "They have rendered sacrifices that history will never forget. Whenever Pakistan was in need, you put aside all differences and stood united for Pakistan," he said. The Jirga was attended by Field Marshal Asim Munir, K-P Chief Minister Gandapur, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and other political and military leaders as well as tribal elders. Earlier, the participants offered Fateha for both civilian and military personnel who have laid down their lives for the nation. Self-reliance Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz chaired a high-level meeting on the construction of Diamer-Bhasha Dam and other matters related to water resources in Islamabad. He said that building new dams was crucial to enhance water storage capacity, ensure water supply for agriculture, and prevent floods. He said that the country's self-reliance was linked to affordable electricity, and its agriculture, which required increased water storage and efficient water usage. He directed for prioritising the completion of projects like Diamer-Bhasha Dam to establish an effective system for energy production and abundant water storage. (WITH INPUT FROM APP)
Express Tribune
31-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PM Shehbaz arrives in Quetta on day-long visit
Listen to article Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Quetta on Saturday for a one-day visit to attend a tribal Jirga and review the overall law and order situation in Balochistan. The prime minister's visit is aimed at aligning political, tribal, and administrative efforts to further peace initiatives in the province. According to officials, Acting Governor of Balochistan Abdul Khaliq Achakzai, Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, and other senior officials welcomed the prime minister upon his arrival. The visit holds significance in the context of direct consultations with the provincial leadership regarding security and stability. PM Shehbaz will participate in a special Grand Jirga, where tribal and political leaders from various districts across Balochistan have been invited. The Jirga will discuss the province's current security challenges and explore local trust-building measures to enhance peace. A large number of tribal leaders, provincial ministers, assembly members, and senior officials are expected to attend. Government sources indicate that the prime minister seeks to engage all stakeholders in a shared vision for sustainable peace, incorporating their suggestions and concerns into national policy. During the visit, the prime minister will also visit victims of the recent Surab bombing to inquire about their health and express solidarity.
Express Tribune
16-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Police foil honour killing, rescue woman
This situation underscores the urgent need for Peshawar Police to procure modern technological equipment and update its communication infrastructure in order to improve the response time and safety of the deployed personnel. PHOTO: EXPRESS A woman allegedly being held captive with the intent to be killed in the name of 'honour' was safely rescued in Upper South Waziristan, thanks to the swift action of local police and the cooperation of community elders. The timely intervention has drawn praise from local residents for the decisive response by law enforcement. According to sources, police in the Sarwekai area received a tip-off from an informant that a woman was being illegally detained in a house in the remote mountainous region of Badr, approximately 50 kilometers west of Sarwekai. The information indicated that she was at imminent risk of being murdered under the pretext of honour. Upon verifying the report, the matter was brought to the attention of District Police Officer (DPO) Arshad Khan, who immediately ordered a rescue operation. A team was assembled under the supervision of DSP Sarwekai Circle Ashiq Elahi, and included SHO Sarwekai Kamran Khan, SHO Tiarza Abid Khan, and accompanying police personnel. With the cooperation of local tribal elders and the support of a traditional Jirga, the team reached the location and successfully recovered the woman without incident. She was taken into protective custody and is reported to be safe. Local residents and tribal elders have lauded DPO Arshad Khan and his team for their prompt and courageous action. Speaking on the matter, DPO Arshad Khan stated, "We respect tribal traditions and customs, but any act that violates the law will not be tolerated. No one is above the law, and no one will be allowed to take the law into their own hands. Those who do will face strict legal consequences."
Express Tribune
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Torkham border remains shut despite agreement
The Torkham border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan, located in the Khyber district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), remained closed on Tuesday, as Afghan authorities delayed implementing the reopening decision agreed upon during a joint Jirga on Monday. Syed Jawad Hussain Kazmi, the head of the Pakistani delegation at the Jirga talks, said that the Afghan Jirga had requested time to seek final approval from Afghan authorities. However, despite 20 hours passing, no final decision had been conveyed. "We are still waiting for the Afghan Jirga to contact us, which has caused a delay in reopening the Torkham border," said Kazmi, who also serves as an adviser to the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI). The border was closed on February 21, after the Afghan forces attempted to construct a military checkpoint near Torkham. Pakistani Frontier Corps (FC) authorities objected to the construction because it was being built on the Pakistani territory. The situation escalated on March 4 after talks between the two sides for the reopening of the crossing failed and Pakistani security forces and Afghan Taliban fighters exchanged fire in which one Afghan border guard was killed and two others sustained injuries. From day one, Kazmi said, his effort was to end the tension and find a peaceful solution to the issue. Therefore, he added, he contacted the leaders of the Afghan Chamber of Commerce on March 6 and invited them to Torkham on March 9 for negotiations. "In the first successful session, the Joint Jirga agreed to an immediate ceasefire and a second session was scheduled for March 17. In the second round, Kazmi led a 36-member delegation for the talks with a 25-member Afghan delegation. "Yesterday, the Jirga agreed that there will be a ceasefire until the 15th day of Eidul Fitr [mid-April], and both countries will not carry out construction in the disputed areas," Kazmi said, adding that the issue of the controversial constructions would be taken up in the next meeting. Kazmi said that the Afghan Jirga had sought time to get the final opinion from higher authorities in Jalalabad and Kabul. "They have not informed us about the final decision of the Afghan authorities," Kazmi added. Khyber Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President Wajid Ali Shinwari told The Express Tribune that the talks focused on a ceasefire and no construction on disputed sites on the border, adding that reopening of border was linked to these two points. "From the Pakistani side, we have agreed that no construction will be undertaken until the reopening [of the border] but they would take the matter to the governor of Nangarhar. The Nangarhar governor is still undecided and took the matter to Kabul, and until now, the Afghan side hasn't shown any interest." Though the border still remained shut, a ceasefire was still intact, while the construction had halted. "The Jirga can be termed successful because the ceasefire is intact and construction has also halted. The Afghan side pressed that border should be open, till 15th after Eid – the next meeting," Shinwari said. The Pakistani Jirga, however, remained optimistic about receiving a positive message from the Afghan side soon. They said that emergency consultations were under way between the Afghan Jirga and their authorities, while the Torkham crossing remains closed for the 25th consecutive day. Meanwhile, the border security officials from both sides were scheduled to meet at 9am Wednesday (today) to discuss and take the final decision regarding the reopening of the border. WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM OUR PESHAWAR CORRESPONDENT SHAHBULLAH YOUSUFZAI)
Express Tribune
04-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Afghanistan responsible for K-P security situation
Highlighting the deteriorating law and order situation in the province - especially in the newly merged districts, Khyber- Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur attributed it directly to the security situation in neighboring Afghanistan. He made these remarks during his meeting with British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Jane Marriott, at his office on Tuesday. They discussed the matters of mutual interest, particularly the role of British donor agencies in public welfare initiatives, regional security, and other relevant issues. During the meeting with British HC, Gandapur stressed the need for serious and result-oriented efforts to find a sustainable solution to this longstanding issue, warning that if the security challenges in the merged districts are not addressed promptly, they could escalate and affect the entire country. He further informed the British envoy that the provincial government had formed a Jirga to initiate dialogue with Afghan counterparts, and all necessary preparations for sending the delegation were complete. However, since the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the federal government, the KP administration is awaiting approval of the terms of reference (TORs) for the negotiations, said the K-P CM. He emphasized that lasting peace in the region was not just in Pakistan's interest but also in the interest of the entire region and the global community. He called on the world community to work collectively towards a permanent resolution through dialogue. Touching upon the financial challenges faced by the province, the Chief Minister criticized the federal government for not releasing KP's due share under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, particularly for the newly merged districts. He stated that over Rs2000 billion in net hydel profit payments remain unpaid by the federal government.
