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- The prime minister addresses a jirga in Peshawar, praising the sacrifices of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa鈥檚 people in the fight against militancy
- He says a committee has been formed to address the province鈥檚 financial concerns, with its first meeting scheduled for August
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday vowed to preserve peace in Pakistan鈥檚 northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province 鈥渁t all costs,鈥� praising the sacrifices of its people and calling for unity against what he described as Indian-backed militant threats.
Sharif made the remarks during a visit to Peshawar, where he addressed a Grand Jirga of tribal elders alongside the country鈥檚 army chief and top federal ministers. The visit took place amid a resurgence in militant attacks in the region bordering Afghanistan and growing concern over cross-border threats.
鈥淭he sacrifices rendered by the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are indelibly inscribed in the annals of our national history,鈥� the prime minister said during his address. 鈥淭he entire nation salutes your courage, resolve and unwavering commitment.鈥�
He urged tribal elders to stand firm against what he called the 鈥淚ndian-sponsored Fitna-ul-Khawarij,鈥� a term used by Pakistani authorities for Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants who they believe are ideologically extremist and backed by foreign actors.
鈥淧eace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa shall be preserved at all costs,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he Pakistan Army, in unison with all security institutions and the valiant people of the province, stands firmly united against the Fitna-ul-Khawarij and its foreign abettors.鈥�
Sharif also called for improved bilateral cooperation with Afghanistan and said Afghan soil must not be used by Indian proxies to carry out terrorist activities in Pakistan.
During the jirga, Sharif also addressed financial concerns raised by provincial authorities regarding development funding. He confirmed that a committee had already been formed to review the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, a constitutional mechanism for the distribution of financial resources between the federal government and provinces.
鈥淭he chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had raised the matter of revisiting the NFC around six weeks ago in Islamabad,鈥� Sharif said. 鈥淲e immediately formed a committee and provincial nominees have been finalized. The first meeting will be held in August.鈥�
Sharif also praised the youth of the province, calling them a vital national asset and encouraging them to contribute to peace and national cohesion.