An assembly of leaders that decides by consensus in accordance with Pashtunwali, the Pashtun social code, is called a jirga (Pashto: , jərga). It is carried out to resolve conflicts among Pashtuns. A group of Pashtun leaders and delegates called the Pashtun National Jirga has exposed the worrying data and tragic tales of a people ripped apart by violence, strife, and displacement. The Pashtun people have been trapped in the middle of a long-lasting conflict that has wrecked their infrastructure, ruined their homeland, and destroyed their lives for decades, causing them to suffer in ways that are beyond comprehension. The Pashtun people have endured unspeakable suffering for decades as a result of being caught in the center of an ongoing battle that has decimated their infrastructure, their territory, and their lives.
The assembly has become essential due to the widespread involvement.This meeting was called after yet another wave of terrorism struck Kosovo.With the return of armed militants, administrative control seems to have entirely collapsed in some of the areas. There is a growing concern that the civilian population may suffer the consequences of yet another military operation due to the regular attacks on security forces.
The statements and resolution adopted at the end of the jirga revealed the public’s growing mistrust of the government and security personnel, which is particularly concerning. Along with the assembly’s resolution to combat militancy, PTM leaders demanded that security personnel evacuate the erstwhile tribal districts, which had been the epicenter of the violence.
For decades, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has bore the burden of terrorism, yet the Pashtun people’s aspiration for peace remains unshakeable. Amidst the chaos, Jirgas have emerged as a beacon of hope, fostering dialogue and reconciliation. Jirgas organized by the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement have grown to be a potent forum for calling for human rights and justice, addressing extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, and advancing accountability and peace.
Unrelenting violence has devastated the Pashtun region, taking thousands of lives and uprooting millions of people. Sectarian divides have been exacerbated by the approximately 4,000 deaths caused by the Shia-Sunni fighting in Kurram Agency. In the midst of trying to eradicate polio, health workers—including 213 female members of the vaccination team—have been ruthlessly murdered. Numerous lives and limbs have been lost in the region’s 9,237 big explosions and 300 landmine blasts.
A number of entities, including foreign interventions, security forces, and militant organizations, have contributed to the bloodshed. The lives of the Pashtun people have become little more than collateral damage since they are caught in the crossfire. Their hope in a peaceful future has been undermined by the tragedy and suffering they have endured, leaving them with severe scars. Sectarian divides have been exacerbated by the approximately 4,000 deaths caused by the Shia-Sunni fighting in Kurram Agency. In the midst of trying to eradicate polio, health workers—including 213 female members of the vaccination team—have been ruthlessly murdered. Numerous lives and limbs have been lost in the region’s 9,237 big explosions and 300 landmine blasts.
Because of the ongoing conflicts that have forced 5.7 million people to from their homes, 2.3 million people still do not have a stable place to live. This migration has put families in a desperate situation because they are unable to pay for necessities like food, water, and medical care. After 370,000 homes and mosques were demolished, communities were devastated, leaving behind just trauma and ruin. Numerous issues confront the displaced Pashtun population, such as social exclusion, unemployment, and poverty. Their women are at risk of being exploited, and their children are denied access to education. Because families are compelled to adapt to new surroundings, the relocation has also resulted in the disintegration of Pashtun cultural identity.
Despite having abundant natural riches, the Pashtun people do not much profit from them. Although the Karak region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has produced significant income from the sale of 8.5 million barrels of oil, the surrounding populations continue to live in poverty. The residents’ access to basic rights and services has been impeded by the blocking of 200,000 ID cards. Poverty, inequality, and social injustice have been sustained by the Pashtun people’s economic marginalization. Both their labor and their resources are taken advantage of. The conflict has been exacerbated by the fact that many young Pashtuns have turned to militancy due to a lack of economic possibilities.
The pursuit of justice and peace are intrinsically intertwined for the Pashtun National Jirga. The Pashtun community has been subjected to unspeakable hardship for many years, including flagrant abuses of their human rights, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and displacement. In an effort to rectify past injustices committed against the Pashtun population, the Jirga’s cry for justice is a crystal clear demand for responsibility. In order to do this, the Jirga supports impartial inquiries into violations of human rights, the punishment of offenders irrespective of their affiliation or status, financial support for victims and their families, and commissions dedicated to redressing historical wrongs.
The Pashtun Jirga also highlights the significance of defending human rights, in particular the rights to healthcare and education, cultural identity and self-determination, freedom of expression and assembly, life and dignity, and involvement in government and decision-making. The Jirga also acknowledges the vital role that local institutions play in advancing justice and accountability; as such, it works to fortify established conflict settlement procedures, give local councils and jirgas more authority, and assist neighborhood-based projects that advance justice and reconciliation.
The Pashtun Jirga makes an appeal to the international world to acknowledge the right to self-determination of the Pashtun people, to back impartial investigations into violations of human rights, to push for justice and accountability, and to offer aid and support to impacted communities.
For a community that has endured far too much suffering, the Pashtun Jirga’s demand for justice is ultimately a ray of hope. In order to ensure that human rights are upheld, justice is done, and peace reigns, it is a call to action for all parties involved. Responsibility is now warranted. It’s now or never in the future. In order for the Pashtun people’s pursuit of justice to become more than just a pipe dream, the world community needs to answer this cry.
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