MALAKAND: Yousafzai elders have urged all Pakhtun tribes to join hands for establishment of durable peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Addressing ‘Pakhtunkhwa Festival’ here on Thursday, they also demanded of the government to take concrete steps for promoting tourism in the province. They said that they believed in resolving all issues through jirga.

They said that owing to present war-like situation throughout the world, the government should review its policy of deporting Afghan refugees. They added that government should grant citizenship to those children of Afghan refugees, who born in Pakistan.

The festival was celebrated with zeal and zest. The festival, organised by Yousafzai Nariwala Jirga, featured stalls of various foods, books and handicrafts in addition to traditional games.

Tribal elders, former lawmakers and councillors from different parts of the province including Malakand, Mardan, Swabi, Swat, Shangla, Buner, Dir, Charsadda and Peshawar participated in the festival.

Elders offered fateha and laid wreaths on the shrines of Malik Ahmed Baba, leader of Yousafzai tribe, and Ataullah Baba, also known as Atababa, leader of Utmankhel tribe.

Youth from different areas participated in traditional games such as Mokha, Kabaddi, tent-pegging and horse race competitions. The winning teams were awarded prizes. Elders of different tribes appreciated organisers of the event. Traditional turbans and shields were presented to elders of different tribes.

The chairman of Yousafzai Nariwala Jirga, Jahan Alam Yousafzai, and elders of other tribes said on the occasion that all tribes should unite and struggle together for establishment of peace in the province.

They said that government should identify resources of the province and resolve financial issues of all universities. They demanded of the government to promote tourism in the province by improving communication system.

Tribal elders said that factories should be set up for the existing raw material and industry should be revived in the province. They said that centre should pay arrears to the province according to its share in NFC Award and royalty on gas, electricity and oil. They said that Pashto should be taught as a subject in all educational institutions. They added that BS Pashto classes should be started in colleges and teachers should be recruited for the purpose.

Published in Dawn, April 17th, 2026