The Bajaur Amn (Peace) Jirga and the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have agreed to a ceasefire during the third round of negotiations held on Sunday in Lowi Mamund tehsil, to remain in effect until the conflict is fully resolved through dialogue.

 

A leading English newspaper reported, citing two members of the jirga, that the third round of talks was held following the TTP leaders' conditional agreement during Saturday’s meeting to vacate civilian areas, one of the two key demands of the Bajaur Amn Jirga.

 

According to details, the third round of talks between the two sides aimed to push the militants to either return to Afghanistan or retreat to the mountains if they intended to continue fighting security forces.

 

“Officials expressed satisfaction over the outcome of Saturday’s talks between both sides in a meeting with Bajaur Amn Jirga leaders headed by Sahibzada Haroon Rashid and decided to give negotiations another chance to resolve the conflict peacefully, leading to third round of talks,” the media report quoted sources as saying.

 

In a social media post shared just before meeting with officials on Sunday, Rashid said, “I’m satisfied with today’s meeting, which lasted for seven hours.”

 

Meanwhile, on Sunday, the residents of the Thangi area of Salarzai tehsil called on authorities not to abandon a security post in their locality, fearing that the move would endanger their lives.

 

Addressing a jirga held at Toot Shah Chowk, local elders claimed that authorities were planning to abandon the security post established in the area several years ago. The participants urged the relevant authorities to reconsider the decision.