The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has reportedly presented two major demands to the 100-member peace jirga from Khyber district during a crucial meeting held at Tirah Maidan’s remote Bagh Markaz area.

According to details, the jirga arrived in Tirah on Monday morning and, after consultations with local tribal elders and political representatives, met the TTP leadership for talks. The jirga included members of the Bara Political Alliance, tribal elders from Bara, Jamrud, and Landi Kotal, as well as former members of the provincial assembly.

Representatives from the Bara Political Alliance included Hashim Khan Afridi, Shah Faisal, Khan Wali Afridi, Haji Shireen, and Attaullah Asghar Khan. Jamrud and Landi Kotal were represented by Malik Salahuddin, Malik Abdul Razzaq, Mufti Ijaz Shafiq Sher, and Malik Israr, while the Tirah Maidan delegation comprised Maulana Hazrat Khan, Maulana Izzatullah Hamkhail, Bar Qambar Khel tribal chief Zahir Shah Afridi, Kamaluddin, and Malik Adam Khan.

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On behalf of the TTP, the delegation was led by Olaswal Ghazi Abdullah and Abu Zar Afridi, along with several field commanders. The meeting reportedly lasted for about an hour, during which the TTP presented two principal demands.

Firstly, the group reiterated that it had been struggling for decades to establish a Sharia-based system in Pakistan, claiming to have made countless sacrifices in the process. The TTP representatives said that their fighters’ contributions were instrumental in the establishment of the current Islamic government in Afghanistan.

Secondly, they demanded that, similar to the pre-merger era of the erstwhile FATA, the TTP’s local structures be allowed to operate freely within the tribal districts. The group stated its desire to see the implementation of Islamic law across the entire country.

Following the discussions, the jirga decided to convey the TTP’s demands to the Government of Pakistan at the earliest. Sources said the ceasefire announced alongside the dialogue process is set to expire tonight.

The 50-member jirga delegation has since returned to Peshawar after concluding the meeting.