Bajaur Peace Talks Stall Again Amid TTP Standoff

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The seventh round of peace negotiations in Bajaur, Pakistan, between tribal elders and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ended in a deadlock, with both sides unable to agree on a critical clause, raising concerns about escalating tensions.

In Pakistan’s volatile Bajaur district, efforts to secure peace through dialogue have once again faltered. The seventh round of the Bajaur Peace Jirga, a traditional tribal council, concluded without progress on August 8, 2025, as negotiations with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hit a snag over a contentious clause. According to Sahibzada Haroonur Rasheed, a key member of the Jirga, both parties raised objections, leading to a stalemate. He emphasized the need for restraint, stating that both sides agreed to avoid harming civilians during any potential conflict.

The Jirga, led by tribal elders, has been pressing the TTP to vacate civilian areas or return to Afghanistan to reduce threats to local communities. However, the TTP has refused to leave Bajaur, insisting that security forces refrain from moving in convoys or carrying weapons without prior notification through the Jirga. This rigid stance has stalled progress, with no consensus reached despite multiple rounds of talks. Sources indicate that many TTP fighters, reportedly Afghan nationals, have rejected calls to relocate, further complicating negotiations.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has summoned Jirga members to Peshawar on August 9, 2025, to address the impasse and explore paths to de-escalation. Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, the provincial government’s information advisor, confirmed that security forces are supporting the dialogue but warned that military operations could resume if talks fail. A recent operation in Mamund Tehsil, which killed three civilians and injured 11, underscored the stakes, prompting local resistance and the initial ceasefire.

The ongoing deadlock has heightened local anxieties, with residents in Salarzai Tehsil opposing the removal of a security checkpoint, fearing increased vulnerability. Meanwhile, authorities have ordered farmers to clear crops within 100 meters of major roads by August 10, 2025, to enhance security. Despite the setbacks, Rasheed remains cautiously optimistic, urging dialogue over violence to resolve the conflict and prevent further unrest in Bajaur.