The two-day jirga for debating the current situation on both sides of Pak-Afghan border will commence today (Tuesday) at Nishtar Hall Peshawar.
The jirga will be attended by delegates from Pashtun community not only from Pakistan and Afghanistan, but also from rest of the world.
The idea of jirga was floated by leading nationalist politician Mohammad Afzal Khan, commonly known as Khan Lala, and is being supported by the Awami National Party.
Beside ANP, the jirga will be attended by leaders and representatives from the Pakistan People’s Party, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid, National Party and the Pakistan Awami Party.
However, leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, PPP-S and Jamaat-e-Islami have refused to attend the jirga.
Former Afghan minister and ex-governor of Kabul, Haji Deen Mohammad, is going to lead a delegation from Afghanistan. President Hamid Karzai’s message is likely to be read out by Haji Deen Mohammad. Similarly elders and representatives of Pashtuns from Karachi and Balochistan would also be arriving in Peshawar.
The objective of the jirga, according to Mohammad Afzal Khan, is to discuss the situation arising out of the US invasion in the name of war on terror.
