PESHAWAR: A Pak-Afghan Peace Jirga will be hosted here on March 31 under the auspices of Aspire Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Qaumi Islahi Tehreek.
This was stated by Aspire Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief Arbab Shehzad Khan while speaking at a press conference on Saturday alongside Qaumi Islahi Tehreek head Sohrab Ali Khan.
He said the jirga aims to bring together national and political leaders, tribal elders, religious scholars, civil society members, traders and media representatives from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, across Pakistan, and Afghan communities residing in the country.
Arbab Shehzad, who has previously served as the KP chief secretary, said the peace jirga would urge the leadership of both Pakistan and Afghanistan to reduce tensions and prioritise dialogue. “War is not a solution to any problem; ultimately, dialogue is the only way forward,” he stated.
The Aspire KP chief emphasised that the jirga would focus on promoting sustainable peace through mutual respect, confidence-building measures, and meaningful negotiations between the two neighbouring countries.
He added that the primary objective was to develop a joint framework to promote peace, stability and dialogue between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
At the conclusion of the jirga, a joint declaration in favour of peace will be issued and forwarded to the governments of both countries.
He noted that the current situation between Pakistan and Afghanistan remains tense, making such a peace jirga a pressing need. Arbab Shehzad said the two countries share cultural, religious and linguistic ties, stressing that peaceful engagement is essential for long-term stability.
He pointed out that Pakistan has hosted Afghan refugees for over 46 years, with many generations of Afghans having grown up here. The Aspire KP chief announced that after the Peshawar jirga, similar peace jirgas are planned in Quetta and other regions to involve all stakeholders and address growing concerns among Pashtun communities.
