Pakhtun Jirga: PHC seeks replies from govt

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Thursday issued notices to parties and sought replies in a petition filed to stop the administration from acting against a Pakhtun Jirga planned to be convened in the Khyber tribal district.

Justice Attique Shah and Justice Sahibzada Assadullah heard the case. Shah Muhammad and Peshawar High Court Bar Association President Fida Gul Advocate appeared for the petitioner. Additional Attorney General (AAG) Sanaullah represented the federation. The counsels for the petitioner submitted to the court that the Pakhtun community wanted to convene a Jirga in the Khyber district. But police and other institutions were creating hurdles to the gathering and taking actions against the organisers.

The counsels said that the petition seeking a halt to actions against the Jirga had been filed by a citizen from the Khyber region, not any organization. They said that as Jirga was being convened against terrorism and for the establishment of peace, the court should stop police from taking action against the Jirga. The AAG told the court the petitioner had not sought permission from the local administration for the Jirga. Justice Attique Shah asked why permission was not obtained. The counsel for the petitioner said Jirga was a part of the Pakhtun traditions and being convened everywhere. He said it was a Jirga, not a political gathering. He pointed out that the Jirga was being held for the Pashtun community, adding it was not by any particular organization.

Fida Gul Advocate submitted that a Grand Jirga was in progress as well at the Chief Minister’s House where Federal Minister Mohsin Naqvi and others were present. He said the participants would discuss the Pakhtun Jirga of Khyber as well. Justice Attique Shah said it should have been appropriate had a delegation of political leaders visited the site and taken stock of the situation and found a solution. The counsels for the petitioner said the Grand Jirga at the Chief Minister’s House would decide on that.