Fata jirga supports cordial Pak-Afghan relations - Newspaper

The tribal elders arranged a jirga at the Jamrud Sports Complex on Sunday and condemned a recent gathering in Kabul wherein objectionable speeches were made against Pakistan. He recommended dismantling Indian consulates on Afghanistan soil.

Elders from different tribal regions have said that the tribesmen want peaceful and cordial relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan and would collectively foil any attempt by India to interfere in brotherly relations of the two neighboring countries.

Speaking on the occasion, Noorul Haq Qadri, a former federal minister, said, "We wanted good relations and trade with Afghanistan".

Ironic to mention 12 MNAs and eight senators were not invited to the Jirga. Majority of participants, especially speakers are known for their opposition to government's FATA Reforms package, especially FATA merger with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The Afghan authorities also denounced military operation in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata), revealed the tribal jirga's members. They lived with us as brothers and sisters. "In this respect, the Jirga offered its services for mediating and reconciliation between Pakistan and Afghanistan and demanded of the ministry of Foreign Affairs to arrange a trip of Tribal Elders to Kabul for holding talks with Afghan leadership".

The latest endorsement of fencing work along Durand Line comes as the Afghan officials have repeatedly opposed with the unilateral work along the line. "Purposes of fencing and border management is ensuring an end to militant's movement in the region, which is in interests of both the countries", it added. The Jirga has urged Afghan government and people as well to recognize the Durand Line as permanent between the two countries and re-visit its policies towards India, which is detrimental to bilateral relations between the two countries and harmful to regional peace.