LOWER DIR: Participants of a jirga in Chakdara on Saturday pledged to render every sacrifice for the restoration of peace in Lower and Upper Dir districts and demanded an inquiry into the anti-terrorism operation, which was conducted after the recent terror attacks in the region.
The jirga organised by the Adenzai Qaumi Jirga in Chakdara was attended by local elders, political leaders, religious scholars, lawyers and members of civil society from both the districts.
The jirga reviewed the prevailing law and order and discussed measures to counter the growing threat of terrorism in the region.
Presenting a joint declaration, Adenzai Qaumi Jirga chairman Khurshid Ali Khan condemned the terrorist attacks that took place in Laram Dara and Haidari Top on July 15. He called for an independent investigation into the anti-terrorists operation launched in the area.
Urges govt to formulate effective counterterrorism strategy
Three policemen were martyred and 17 others injured in the attacks, while terrorists also torched three police vehicles during that operation.
The declaration described the performance of the district administration during the Haidari Top operation as unsatisfactory and urged the authorities to identify shortcomings and fix responsibility.
It said that all segments of the society including political parties, religious scholars, traders, students, lawyers and civil society organisations would remain united in the fight against terrorism and would not allow militants to destabilise the region.
The jirga demanded of the federal and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments to formulate an effective counterterrorism strategy, equip law enforcement agencies with modern weapons and resources, strengthen intelligence-gathering mechanism, and compensate the families affected by terrorism.
Former senator Maulana Gul Naseeb Khan, former provincial minister Malik Jehan Zeb Khan, Awami National Party’s Hussain Shah Yousafzai, Bahadur Khan, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf MPAs Humayun Khan and Ubaidur Rehman, Pakistan Rah-i-Haq Party’s Maulana Ubaidullah Anwar, former minister Muzaffar Said advocate, Dir Qaumi Pasoon chief Malik Jahan Alam Khan, Talash Dushkhel Jirga president Mohammad Israr Khan, Loya Jirga founder Aftab Alam, JUI’s Sirajuddin and several others attended the jirga.
The speakers stressed that maintaining law and order was the responsibility of the provincial government, adding that resentment among the people would grow if the rulers failed to address this issue. The jirga announced that a delegation of elders would soon meet relevant authorities to convey their concerns and recommendations.
Published in Dawn, July 26th, 2026
