BAJAUR: After three days of unrest in Bajaur, a 50-member jirga of local elders engaged in direct talks with Taliban fighters who had crossed over from Afghanistan.
The meeting took place in Laghrai Mamond, where the elders urged the Taliban to either return to Afghanistan or move away from populated areas into the mountains.
The jirga was led by Bajaur Peace Jirga Chairman Gul Karim Khan and senior elder Haroon Rashid. Local MPAs Dr. Hamidur Rehman and Anwar Zeb Khan were also in attendance, lending political weight to the discussions.
The elders conveyed growing concern among residents over the militants’ presence, warning that their continued stay could destabilize the area further. They offered to mediate with authorities for a safe passage if the Taliban agreed to withdraw peacefully.
In response, the Taliban representatives requested time to consult their leadership in Afghanistan and promised a decision by 12 PM tomorrow.
The talks mark a pivotal effort by local leadership to defuse tensions through dialogue rather than conflict.
