In a time of renewed instability in Bajaur, a ray of indigenous resistance to violence has emerged, not through arms, but through collective wisdom. Following two days of military operations in Mamond tehsil against TTP militants, the people of Bajaur, led by their political leadership and elders, have responded not with silence or retreat, but with unity and resilience, forming a grand 50-member Jirga that has so far succeeded in mediating a temporary ceasefire between the militants and the Pakistan military.

This effort deserves a serious, grounded and objective observation, not only because it demonstrates a remarkable local initiative, but also because it raises critical questions about community-led conflict resolution, the limits of state-centric security responses, and the challenges of sustainable peace in Pakhtunkhwa’s borderlands.

The Jirga’s Role: Traditional Mechanism in Modern Conflict

The Jirga, representing local chapters of all major political parties and influential community voices, was convened spontaneously during a sit-in (this was a call for the immediate halt of military operations in Mamond), reflecting the urgency and grassroots nature of this initiative. It first reached out to the local commanders of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), then to the military, and later, after three days of negotiations with the TTP and the district administration, spent an entire day in deliberation with the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, presenting its sole demand:

• No military operation,
• Voluntary evacuation of militants from the area.

So far, the Jirga has achieved the following:

• A mutually respected ceasefire, now holding for several days.
• Political consensus across parties within the district, an extraordinary achievement in today’s fragmented political landscape.
• Public support and legitimacy, not only from Bajaur but also from neighboring districts, with communities, elders, and activists aligning behind it.

Assessing the Success of the Jirga: Partial but Promising

The immediate success of the Jirga lies in its de-escalation of the conflict. In a region repeatedly devastated by cyclical violence, this is no small feat. People who had begun fleeing the area are now hopeful. Daily life routine, though fragile, is returning.

However, we must ask: Is this a sustainable solution? The answer, unfortunately, is complicated.

Strengths of the Jirga

1. Local legitimacy: It is rooted in the cultural code and ethos of Pashtunwali, offering a peaceful resolution of conflicts—a sort of restorative justice.
2. Unified voice: For once, the people and political forces of Bajaur are speaking in unison.
3. Timing: The Jirga filled the vacuum between two extremes, militant coercion and state militarization.

Limitations

1. No long-term peace agreement: A ceasefire is not peace. The militants have not surrendered or fully evacuated.
2. Lack of enforcement power: The Jirga has moral but not institutional authority. If either party, the TTP or military, breaks the ceasefire, the Jirga cannot enforce consequences.
3. No reintegration plan: There is no roadmap yet for what happens to those militants who do vacate. Will they regroup elsewhere?
4. Silence on victims’ justice: What happens to those harmed, killed, or injured, displaced, or traumatized by this conflict?

Recommendations and the Way Forward

1. Institutional Backing for the Jirga

The provincial and federal governments must institutionalize this Jirga, not by taking it over or co-opting it, but by recognizing it as a formal stakeholder in conflict resolution—the legal framework is already in place in the form of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and Disputes Resolution Councils (DRC). The Jirga could be formally integrated into a District Peace Committee or similar structure with guaranteed voice in provincial security policymaking—in the form of ADR or DRC. This Jirga should not be composed of seasonal or permanent members, but should be formed according to the nature and context of any conflict.

2. Wider Political Ownership

Political leaders from outside Bajaur should endorse and support this effort, especially in Pakhtunkhwa. Without support, the Jirga’s work may remain locally confined and vulnerable to sabotage. The provincial support, both from the government and the opposition parties, will provide strength to the Jirga’s decisions.

3. Demand for Militant Accountability

While the call to avoid military operations is valid from a humanitarian lens, there must also be accountability for armed violence. “Peace without justice may only delay future conflict”. The Jirga should push for community-based monitoring mechanisms to ensure compliance by militants who agree to withdraw.

4. Engage Youth and Civil Society

Youth voices, educators, and lawyers must be engaged in parallel forums. The Jirga should not remain a seasonal-mind-dominated, elder-exclusive space. Community resilience requires inclusive peacebuilding. Therefore, this Jirga is appreciated and has the trust and confidence of the locals.

5. Develop a Contingency Plan

If the Jirga fails to secure lasting peace, a backup framework involving civil-military coordination, humanitarian support, and conflict-sensitive approaches must be ready. The population must not be left at the mercy of another violent cycle.

All stakeholders should think about a contingency plan, what if this Jirga fails? With this Jirga, the locals have associated hopes and they believe this could be a final attempt and if it fails, there will be hopelessness among the masses.

Final Thoughts: A Local Answer to a National Problem?

The Bajaur Jirga is more than a local initiative; it stands as a powerful testament to community resilience in the face of a long and painful conflict. It also serves as a clear indictment of the failure of top-down counterterrorism strategies to bring lasting peace. Yet, we must avoid romanticizing the Jirga as a definitive solution. Its success is fragile, contingent upon political will, institutional support, and, most importantly, continued community vigilance.

This Jirga is a pivotal moment. If it succeeds, it could set a powerful precedent for bottom-up peacebuilding in Pakistan’s conflict zones. If it fails, it risks deepening public disillusionment with both state mechanisms and community leadership. Still, the very existence of the Jirga signals hope. It reflects that within the community; there are still trusted figures capable of leading efforts toward positive peace.

Community-led initiatives like these must be strengthened, not sidelined. They deserve trust, recognition, and support. And if this Jirga falters, the community will not retreat; they will regroup. There will be another Jirga, another protest, another sit-in. The people have spoken: they will continue to resist until the militants vacate their land and the region is truly at peace.

Conclusion

The recent Jirgas in Bajaur and Tirah represent a powerful resurgence of indigenous and community-led responses to protracted conflict in Pakistan’s borderlands. These gatherings, rooted in tradition armed with political consciousness, signal a collective awakening among the local population, who have endured the fallout of militancy and military operations for over two decades. By taking the initiative into their own hands, the people are demanding a departure from top-down, exclusionary approaches that have repeatedly failed to deliver sustainable solutions. The calls for inclusion from elders, educators, lawyers, youth, and even women reflect a deep understanding of the conflict’s local dynamics and a strong desire for participatory decision-making. The upcoming sit-in in Dir, the ongoing peaceful mobilizations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the newly merged districts underscore a growing resolve to reclaim agency and resist both militant and state-imposed violence through nonviolent means. Even if the Bajaur Jirga does not resolve the broader conflict, its real success lies in calming a volatile situation and reaffirming a centuries-old strategy of resistance through dialogue, unity, and collective will. In a time of renewed uncertainty, these Jirgas remind us that durable peace can only emerge when local voices are not only heard but heeded.

The author is PhD in Peace and Conflict and writer of “Rehabilitation, Deradicalization, and Reintegration of Militants: A Case Study from Swat Valley“, and can be reached at ilamkhan85@gmail.com