THE prevailing global and regional strategic environment has severely affected the security dynamics in Pakistan. The security forces and intelligence agencies of Pakistan are engaged in countering external as well as internal security threats. On a daily basis the personnel of security forces are being targeted. Among all these gruesome target killing, the martyrdom of 2nd Lt Arif Ullah (who was on leave) in his native town Lakki Marwat is heart wrenching.

It is astonishing that Pakhtoon Tahaffuz Movement along with some resented elements held a gathering under the banner of “Pakhtoon Qaumi Jirga (PQJ)” on October 11, 2024. The concept of Jirga is rooted in the Pakhtoon Code of Conduct and also once enjoyed a legal status under Section-5 of the Frontier Crimes Regulations, 1901. Moreover, it plays a role of a reconciliation forum for dispute resolution and resolving other local petty issues of the local populace. In that Jirga, a list of demands was presented to National Assembly. PQJ called for: i) Withdrawal of security forces as well as “good and bad” Taliban from the region within two months; ii) Relaxing trade regime with Afghanistan; iii) Guarantying local population’s first rights to the region’s resources; iv) Uninterrupted supply of cheap electricity; v) Steps to establish representative jirgas for the resolution of inter-tribal disputes; vi) End to extortion; vii) Resettlement of persons displaced by terrorism and military operations; viii)........

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