Pashtun Qaumi Jirga Preparations Intensify in Quetta, Proposals to Address Public Issues to Be Presented

QUETTA (Daily Qudrat): Preparations for the Pashtun Qaumi Jirga, scheduled to be held in Quetta from August 30 to September 1, are progressing, with the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) saying the gathering will provide a platform for consultation and consensus on solutions to the problems faced by the people of southern Pashtunkhwa.

In this connection, a joint meeting of the Quetta district provincial executives, district secretary and senior deputy secretaries, as well as secretaries and senior deputy secretaries of the four tehsils, was held under the chairmanship of PkMAP Central Deputy Chairman Abdul Rauf Lala at the residence of late Sardar Raza Muhammad Bareech, a former provincial minister and member of the party’s central committee.

The meeting discussed various matters related to the jirga. PkMAP Provincial Senior Vice President Syed Sharaf Agha and other provincial executives and members presented their proposals. Detailed discussions were held on arrangements for the successful conduct of the jirga, discipline, invitations to community elders, organizational matters and other related issues.

Party leaders said the Pashtun Qaumi Jirga in Quetta would serve as a means of strengthening national traditions, unity and solidarity among the people of southern Pashtunkhwa and would help address the difficult circumstances facing the population.

They said it was essential that all communities and sections of society in southern Pashtunkhwa, particularly Quetta, including minorities, be represented at the jirga.

According to the leaders, the gathering would not be merely a traditional assembly but a platform where issues confronting the people would be highlighted through mutual consultation, consensus and collective wisdom, while practical proposals for their resolution would also be presented.

They said a future strategy would be formulated in light of the jirga’s declaration to help secure the future of the people.

The party leaders said the jirga had historically held an important place in Pashtun traditions as a platform for resolving disputes through dialogue, providing justice to the oppressed and promoting peace and brotherhood in society.

They said the people were currently facing a range of social, economic, political and law-and-order challenges. In such circumstances, a dignified, representative, serious and peaceful Pashtun jirga could play an effective role in highlighting public difficulties and proposing workable solutions.

They said the jirga could help establish common priorities regarding peace, education, employment, healthcare, basic facilities, electricity, gas, clean drinking water, trade and public safety.

The leaders also condemned what they described as negative propaganda and a social media campaign against the Pashtun Qaumi Jirga.

They appealed to national political and democratic workers as well as conscious, nationalist, patriotic and pro-democracy citizens not to become part of such campaigns. Instead, they urged them to focus on their responsibilities and play their role in the preparations and success of the jirga.

They said the success of the gathering would depend on bringing everyone to one table to address the common problems of the people and on strengthening unity and organization among the population.