PESHAWAR:
Tensions flared in Khyber district’s Tirah valley on Tuesday as protests continued over the deaths of civilians, while the first round of talks between a government delegation, comprising provincial ministers, and the protesters ended on Monday without a breakthrough.
The protesters pressed demands for accountability over civilian casualties in Tirah. According to sources, they insisted that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and the Corps Commander visit the sit-in site to apologise to the victims’ families.
They also sought guarantees that such incidents would not recur. The government delegation assured that the chief minister would personally attend the sit-in in the coming days to offer condolences. However, the protesters vowed to continue their demonstration until their demands were met.
The protests stems from an explosion late on Sunday night in Akakhel, Tirah, that killed at least 14 militants and 10 civilians. While police maintain the blast occurred inside a TTP-run IED factory, opposition lawmakers insist it was caused by airstrikes that destroyed civilian homes.
The issue again sparked heated debate in the K-P Assembly. Treasury benches lawmakers Shafi Jan, Dr Amjad, and Fazl Hakeem strongly protested the killing of civilians in Tirah and called for an immediate session of the parliamentary committee.
The lawmakers criticised Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi for calling Afghanistan an enemy state, arguing that such remarks disregarded the deep tribal and cultural ties across the border.
They emphasised that peace in K-P was closely tied to Afghanistan, adding that peace was being deliberately undermined as part of a conspiracy. The lawmakers stressed that the chief minister and his team would pursue talks with Afghan authorities.
