Pak-Afghan Peace Jirga in Peshawar on March 31
News Desk/APP
Peshawar: Amid rising tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, a Pak-Afghan Peace Jirga is scheduled to be held in Peshawar on March 31, aiming to develop a joint framework for peace, stability, and constructive dialogue between the two neighboring countries.
The jirga is being organized under the auspices of Aspire Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Qaumi Islahi Tehreek, according to Arbab Shehzad Khan, former Chief Secretary of KP and head of Aspire.
The event will bring together a wide range of stakeholders, including political leaders, tribal elders, religious scholars, members of civil society, the business community, and media representatives. Organizers say the jirga will focus on promoting mutual respect, rebuilding trust, and initiating serious negotiations for lasting peace.
Addressing a joint press conference alongside Qaumi Islahi Tehreek head Haji Sohrab Ali Khan, Arbab Shehzad Khan said a joint declaration supporting peace would be issued at the conclusion of the jirga and shared with the governments of both countries.
He stressed that the initiative seeks to establish a common path toward peace and stability, emphasizing dialogue as the only viable solution to ongoing disputes. “War is not the solution to any problem,” he said, adding that even in global conflicts, dialogue remains a key pathway to resolution.
Highlighting deep cultural, linguistic, and religious ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Arbab noted that both nations share a long history of close interaction. He also pointed out Pakistan’s decades-long support for Afghan refugees, stating that many Afghans have spent generations in Pakistan over the past 45 years.
Arbab Shehzad Khan described the jirga as the need of the hour, regretting the lack of a strong, unified voice for peace from political leadership in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
He further announced that similar peace jirgas would be held in Quetta and other regions to broaden engagement and include all relevant stakeholders in efforts to reduce tensions and address concerns among Pashtun communities.
Participants of the March 31 jirga are expected to call upon the leadership of both countries to implement an immediate ceasefire, de-escalate tensions, and resolve all disputes through dialogue and diplomatic means.
The organizers reiterated that urgent and coordinated efforts are essential to ensure lasting peace for the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan.
