Bajaur’s Peace Jirga on the Brink of Collapse

The Peace Jirga in Bajaur is now teetering on the edge of failure.

Pashtun Jirga with militants in Bajaur, exFata,kpk

Haroon Rashid, the head of the Jirga, has publicly conceded that a deadlock has emerged between both parties involved in the ongoing conflict. While his recent statement emphasized that both sides have committed to keeping civilians unharmed, the subtext reveals a more troubling reality.

This assurance, rather than reflecting progress, appears to signal the expectation of violence — and with it, the Jirga’s inability to achieve a meaningful resolution.

To make matters worse, the Jirga has now been summoned to the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar. Sources suggest that the meeting may revolve around persuading locals to evacuate their homes, a move that hints at an impending operation or forced displacement.

If these developments hold true, it’s clear that the Peace Jirga, rather than preventing conflict, is now being positioned to manage its consequences. What began as an effort for de-escalation now seems to be transitioning into a mere formality — one that masks the state’s failure to secure a peaceful outcome.

At stake are not only the lives and homes of civilians but also the broader question: Was this Jirga ever empowered to bring peace, or was it doomed from the start?