ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — The federal government has agreed, in principle, to lift its recent ban on the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM), though with certain conditions, according to reports from Pakistani media. The agreement was reached during a multiparty grand jirga, or tribal assembly, hosted by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government on Thursday.
The decision, as reported by Dawn, indicates that while the ban’s formal notification will be temporarily held in abeyance, the PTM will be permitted to proceed with its scheduled Pashtoon Qaumi Jirga on Friday. This event is expected to be hosted by the provincial government and attended by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.
Sources noted that Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has authorized the provincial jirga to negotiate with PTM leaders on a range of contentious issues. The jirga will be led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, alongside parliamentary leaders and members from both the treasury and opposition benches.
In an effort to ensure the gathering remains peaceful, the government has imposed specific conditions on the PTM. According to sources, participants will not be permitted to use inflammatory slogans or display the Afghan national flag during the jirga. These terms are expected to be communicated to PTM leaders ahead of the meeting.
The PTM has yet to issue a public response to the federal government’s decision or the imposed conditions.
