A complete curfew has been imposed throughout North Waziristan amid a deteriorating security situation, as authorities and local communities intensify efforts to restore peace in the volatile tribal districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The region, particularly along the border with Afghanistan, has witnessed a noticeable resurgence of militant activity in recent months, prompting both military operations and grassroots peace initiatives.
On Friday, residents of Shewa tehsil in North Waziristan staged a significant peace march to protest the worsening law and order situation. The demonstration saw participation from a wide cross-section of society, including tribal elders, members of all major political parties, the influential Utmanzai Jirga, the Youth of Kabul Khel, and activists from the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM).
During the event, Mufti Baitullah, the spokesperson of the Utmanzai Jirga, along with several other speakers, voiced deep concern over the increasing violence and instability in the area. They stressed that civilians were living in a constant state of fear due to the reappearance of militant groups and ineffective responses from state institutions. The speakers urged authorities to take immediate action to ensure lasting peace in the region.
In light of the curfew, the district administration has advised residents to remain indoors and refrain from traveling on roads for their safety.
Simultaneously in Bajaur, a peace jirga is engaging with local militant leaders in an effort to convince them to leave the area. This dialogue follows the launch of ‘Operation Sarbakaf’ earlier this week, a military campaign aimed at clearing militants from Bajaur.
The jirga met with leaders of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in the Lar Kalan area of Lowi Mamund tehsil. The meeting took place in a mosque and was attended by a 50-member delegation of the Bajaur Peace Committee, including local politicians like Dr. Hamidur Rehman, Anwar Zeb Khan, and former MNA Gul Zafar Khan.
The jirga presented the militants with two options: either return to Afghanistan or relocate to the mountains to avoid endangering civilian populations. According to senior PTI leader Dr. Khailur Rehman, the TTP representatives requested more time to consult with their leadership in Afghanistan and are expected to respond by Saturday noon.
This meeting mirrored a similar jirga held in Khyber’s Tirah valley, where local elders urged TTP commanders to vacate the area. In that case too, the militants sought additional time for consultations.
Separately, another peace jirga was convened at the Bajaur Scouts headquarters in Khar, which included local lawmakers, senior security officials, members of the district administration, and police. The gathering aimed to develop a comprehensive and results-driven strategy for establishing long-term peace in the district.
During his address, Inspector General of Frontier Corps (North), Major General Rao Imran Sirtaj, reaffirmed the military’s commitment to eliminating terrorism and restoring peace. He emphasized that ongoing operations are intended to secure a stable and secure environment where people can pursue prosperity and development without fear.
Together, these efforts—ranging from curfews and military action to grassroots negotiations—reflect the urgent need for a multidimensional approach to countering militancy and fostering sustainable peace in Pakistan’s tribal belt.
