Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Seeks to Negotiate Peace With Afghan Taliban

Ali Amin Gandapur, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan has stated that he has requested permission from Islamabad to negotiate peace with the Afghan Taliban regarding stability in the province.

Gandapur said that even if the government does not grant permission, he will, as the Chief Minister, direct tribal elders to engage in talks with the Taliban.

On Thursday, during a meeting with tribal leaders and party representatives, Gandapur emphasised that peace in this province depends on a peaceful Afghanistan. He stressed on the need for a clear policy and timeline to eradicate militancy in the region.

Gandapur acknowledged that a provincial high-level committee meeting will soon be convened to begin peace talks with the Taliban. He added that no war can be won without the support of the people and the government must conduct military operations against militants in coordination with the people of the province.

He also highlighted the importance of consulting tribal communities on security issues and taking action to resolve them.

Gandapur who is a member of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, criticised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's policies towards tribal areas and called the legal actions against PTI leaders unjust.

Earlier, on Thursday Pakistan's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, stated in a press conference that the use of Afghan territory to promote terrorism against neighbouring countries is not just Pakistan's concern.

She added that Pakistan has provided evidence of terrorist group hideouts in Afghanistan.

The spokesperson further mentioned that recent UN reports have highlighted the activities of terrorist groups in Afghanistan and urged the Afghan Taliban to take action against them, ensuring these groups do not target Pakistan.