K-P Women’s Commission urges inclusion of women in upcoming Jirga

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Commission on the Status of Women has urged the provincial government to ensure women’s participation in the upcoming “Khyber Aman Jirga,” terming their inclusion a constitutional and legal obligation.

The Jirga, scheduled to be held on October 25 in Bara, Khyber district, will be chaired by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister, Sohail Afridi. In an official communiqué issued on Thursday, the Commission emphasized that Article 25(2) of the Constitution guarantees equal rights for all citizens, while Section 6(b) of the K-P Women Empowerment Act 2016 mandates women’s involvement in policymaking.

The Commission also cited Pakistan’s commitments under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, which underscores the vital role of women in peacebuilding and conflict resolution. Calling upon the Chief Secretary, district administration, and other authorities, the KPCSW demanded representation of women from civil society in the Jirga to ensure their voices are heard on peace and development issues.

“Excluding women from such forums violates constitutional principles and weakens efforts toward sustainable peace,” the statement noted, reiterating that inclusive dialogue is essential for effective governance and lasting stability in the province.

Newly elected Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has called for a jirga on October 25 at Bara in his home district Khyber. He stated that the gathering will be a large peace jirga, bringing together tribal elders, community leaders and youth from across the region, irrespective of political affiliation.

The jirga is expected to deliberate on secruity, the increasing military operations, the rise of militants, the new cabinet set to be elected. Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf founder Imran Khan’s release from prison will also to be on the agenda.

The jirga is an effort to include the large populations of the merged districts in the larger conversation regarding the province. Afridi said the provincial government stands by the ideology of the party’s founding chairman and with the interests of the people of K-P.

Read: No one will be allowed to impose decisions made behind closed doors: K-P CM

Meanwhile, on October 24, there is a jalsa or workers convention in Charsadda, and one in Karak on October 26.

A session of the K-P Assembly has been convened for Monday to discuss security challenges and the floods. The session, previously adjourned until October 27, was rescheduled at the request of the chief minister. The Assembly Secretariat issued the official notification late on Sunday.

Lawmakers will debate security and law and order. The agenda includes discussion on the devastation caused by the floods and rehabilitation efforts across the districts.