A jirga in Pakistan’s Swat district has rejected any new military operation against militants in the area and called on the government to take immediate steps to restore lasting peace across the Malakand division.
The jirga was held on Thursday, Dawn reported on Friday, August 14, 2026, saying participants demanded that the government remove militants from the Malakand division within one month. They warned that failure to establish lasting peace would prompt them to launch protests and march toward Islamabad.
The participants said communities in Swat and the wider Malakand division have endured militancy, military operations, natural disasters and floods since 2007, causing serious damage to the local economy. They also said the region’s tourism industry has suffered as a result of prolonged insecurity.
The jirga rejected the prospect of another military campaign, arguing that residents could not afford renewed unrest or the additional economic burden associated with a new operation. Instead, they called for practical measures to eliminate militant activity and restore security.
At the same time, the participants placed a one-month deadline on the government to address the security situation. They warned that if the authorities fail to deliver lasting peace, they would organize wider demonstrations and march toward Islamabad.
The demand comes amid continued militant violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other armed groups have carried out attacks against security forces and civilians.
The security situation has also renewed debate in the province over the effectiveness and cost of military operations. In previous years, residents and civil society groups in Swat and Malakand have expressed concern about both militant violence and the consequences of prolonged military campaigns. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has previously documented public opposition in Malakand to supporting another military operation while also reporting continuing militant attacks in the region.
Swat has a long history of conflict with militant groups. A major military operation in 2009 drove militants from much of the valley, but concerns over renewed militancy have persisted. The region has also experienced repeated security, economic and humanitarian pressures, including displacement and disruption to tourism and local businesses.
The latest jirga reflects growing pressure on Pakistan’s government to address militancy while avoiding a return to large-scale military operations that local communities say could further disrupt their lives and economy.
Pakistan has faced a broader resurgence in militant violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in recent years, with attacks by the TTP among the major security challenges confronting the province. The authorities have repeatedly said they are taking measures to prevent militant attacks and strengthen security along the country’s western areas.
