Islamabad, March 29 Former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief secretary Arbab Shehzad Khan said that a Pakistan-Afghanistan peace jirga will be held in Peshawar on March 31 to urge the leaders of the two nations to ease tensions and work towards peace, local media reported on Sunday.
Addressing a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club, Khan, who is the head of Aspire Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which, along with Qaumi Islahi Tehreek, is organizing the jirga, said that national and political leaders, tribal elders, religious scholars, members of civil society, traders, and media representatives from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Afghans residing in Pakistan will participate in the meeting, Pakistan's leading daily Dawn reported.
Arbab Shehzad Khan emphasized that war is not a solution to any problem and issues must be resolved through talks. He further said that the forum will focus on promoting sustainable peace through mutual respect, confidence-building measures, and negotiations. He said that the forum will urge the leaders of Afghanistan and Pakistan to de-escalate tensions.
He said that the jirga is aimed at establishing a joint course of action to foster peace, stability, life, and talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan. After the conclusion of the jirga, a joint declaration in favor of peace will be issued and sent to the governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan.
In response to a question, he expressed hope that the international community would encourage Afghan authorities to come to the negotiating table with Pakistan, stressing that the people of both nations are bearing the brunt of the ongoing tensions, Dawn reported.
Arbab Shehzad Khan stated that the situation requires immediate efforts to ensure lasting peace for the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan, and said that invitations have also been sent to political leaders who have previously played a part in promoting peace between both nations.
In recent weeks, tensions have escalated between Afghanistan and Pakistan due to airstrikes, artillery fire, and accusations from both sides.