A tribal peace jirga is expected to be held within days in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, as efforts intensify to reduce tensions between Pakistan and Taliban after weeks of cross-border violence.
Local sources said the gathering, planned for March 31 in Peshawar, would bring together political figures, tribal elders, religious scholars and civil society representatives to push for a ceasefire and renewed dialogue.
Organizers have said the meeting will focus on confidence-building measures, mutual respect and creating a framework for sustained talks. Participants are expected to call on both sides to de-escalate tensions and resolve disputes through political channels.
The planned jirga comes as senior officials on both sides signal a cautious openness to talks.
Pakistan’s defense minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, said in a recent interview with ARY News that a process of engagement with the Taliban was underway through what he described as third-party mediation, though he did not name the intermediaries.
“In my view, certainly with the involvement of a third party, a process is underway,” he said. “But it is not structured. If these efforts fail, we will return to previous methods.”
He warned that Pakistan could resume or intensify military operations if diplomatic efforts did not succeed.
On the Taliban side, Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s foreign minister, said in a call with the United Arab Emirates’ foreign minister that they prefer to resolve tensions with Pakistan through dialogue. He added that Afghanistan’s territory would not be used against Pakistan, but said the Taliban would respond to any military attacks.
The diplomatic signals come after weeks of escalating conflict. Pakistani forces have carried out airstrikes across multiple provinces of Afghanistan, while Taliban have responded with cross-border attacks.
Previous rounds of talks between the two sides in Doha, Istanbul and Riyadh late last year failed to produce lasting agreements, with disagreements centered on militancy, particularly the presence of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan.
Pakistan has accused the Taliban of harboring militants responsible for attacks inside its territory — a charge the Taliban deny.
Despite intermittent ceasefires, including one during the Eid holiday this month, clashes have continued, and both sides have reported casualties.
Organizers of the planned jirga said additional meetings could follow in other cities, including Quetta, as part of a broader effort to build momentum for a political resolution.
