Joint Afghan-Pakistani Peace Jirga to Be Held in Peshawar Amid Rising Tensions
A joint peace jirga between Afghanistan and Pakistan is scheduled to take place on March 31 in the city of Peshawar. The meeting aims to establish a common framework to strengthen peace, stability, and dialogue between the two neighboring countries. This jirga is being held amid heightened tensions between Kabul and Islamabad in recent months.
According to Geo News, Arbab Shehzad Khan, former head of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Secretariat and official of the Aspire-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa organization, announced the jirga in a joint press conference with Haji Sohrab Ali Khan, head of the Ethnic Reform Movement. He stated that political leaders, tribal elders, religious scholars, civil society members, traders, and media representatives will participate in the gathering.
He added that several political figures who have previously worked to improve relations and reduce tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have been invited to the jirga. The organizers emphasize that the main focus of the meeting will be mutual respect, confidence-building, and serious dialogues to achieve sustainable peace.
Arbab Shehzad Khan further noted that at the conclusion of the meeting, a joint declaration supporting peace will be issued and sent to officials on both sides. He described the initiative’s primary goal as creating a shared path to strengthen dialogue processes and reduce existing tensions, calling the jirga a “pressing necessity” in the current circumstances.
The organizers also stated that following the Peshawar meeting, similar jirgas will be held in Quetta and other areas to ensure the involvement of all stakeholders in the peace process and to explore solutions for easing regional tensions.
Participants of this jirga will also urge the leaders of Afghanistan and Pakistan to establish an immediate ceasefire, de-escalate tensions, and resolve disputes through diplomatic channels. Despite ongoing tension between the two countries, the organizers hope that this meeting can pave the way for the start of constructive discussions between Kabul and Islamabad.
