Upcoming Pakistan-Afghanistan Peace Jirga in Peshawar
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Islamabad, March 29 (NationPress) Arbab Shehzad Khan, the former chief secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, announced that a Pakistan-Afghanistan peace jirga is set to convene in Peshawar on March 31. The purpose of this meeting is to encourage the leadership of both nations to reduce tensions and strive for peace, as reported by local media on Sunday.
During a press briefing at the Peshawar Press Club, Khan, who leads Aspire Khyber Pakhtunkhwa alongside Qaumi Islahi Tehreek, stated that the jirga will include national and political leaders, tribal elders, religious scholars, civil society members, traders, and media representatives from both Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Afghan nationals residing in Pakistan, according to Pakistan's prominent daily, Dawn.
Khan stressed that warfare is not a viable solution to conflicts and that it is imperative to resolve issues through dialogue. He noted that the forum aims to facilitate enduring peace through mutual respect, confidence-building measures, and negotiations. The jirga will call upon the leaders of Afghanistan and Pakistan to de-escalate tensions.
The objective of this jirga is to establish a collaborative strategy for promoting peace, stability, and dialogue between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Upon concluding the jirga, a joint declaration advocating for peace will be issued and forwarded to the governments of both countries.
When asked about the international community's role, Khan expressed hope that it would motivate Afghan authorities to engage in negotiations with Pakistan, underscoring that the citizens of both nations are suffering due to the ongoing tensions, as reported by Dawn.
Khan highlighted the urgent need for immediate measures to secure lasting peace for the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan, revealing that invitations have also been extended to political leaders who have previously contributed to peace initiatives between the two nations.
In recent weeks, relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have deteriorated, marked by airstrikes, artillery exchanges, and mutual accusations.