KP seeks talks between tribesmen on both sides of Durand Line to end militancy

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government seeks to engage tribesmen living on both sides of the Durand Line to end militancy and ensure peace in the region.

Adviser to the KP chief minister on information Muhammad Ali Saif said on Thursday that the provincial government was preparing terms of reference for holding talks with tribesmen, Dawn newspaper reported.

The draft would be sent to the federal government for approval due to the “complex” nature of bilateral relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
“After the approval of TORs, a delegation comprising tribal, religious and political leader will be sent to Afghanistan to hold talks with the tribesmen living across the border,” Saif said in a statement issued by his office.

“The delegations will be sent to Afghanistan after approval from the federal government and talks will only be held with other tribesmen,” he added.

“There will never be any talks with militants.” He said the negotiations between tribesmen would “provide a strong base” for ending the decades-long violence.

Pakistani officials have repeatedly claimed that attacks in the country are planned in Afghanistan. The Islamic Emirate, however, has denied the claim, saying Afghanistan is not responsible for Pakistan’s “security failure”.