Agenda for Pakistan, Afghan Peace Jirga Finalized
By Aziz Malik 'Pakistan Times' Federal Bureau Chief

ISLAMABAD: The agenda for the first meeting of Pakistan and Afghanistan Peace Jirga, scheduled on August 9 in Kabul, has been finalized.

Interior Ministry Spokesman Brig (Retd) Javed Iqbal Cheema Tuesday said in weekly media briefing that the meeting would prove to be a harbinger of peace and stability in the region.

During the three-day talks, he said the two sides would discuss strengthening of bilateral relations on the basis of good-neighborliness, respect for territorial integrity and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.

He siad other points of the agenda include appraisal of factors and circumstances which contribute to the growth of terrorism and militancy and devising a bilateral mechanism to combat terrorism through cooperation and joint strategy.

He said these also include enhancing goodwill and creating further confidence building measures and mechanisms, including through interaction between political representatives, civil society, academicians, media, sports and cultural links.

The meeting of Peace Jirga would be attended by 700 representatives from each side and the names of invitees have already been finalized by two governments.

To a question as to how the pro-Taliban or anti-Pakistan sentiments would be dealt with during the joint Jirga, he said the whole idea is being discussed on a positive note with positive results already achieved. He said both the countries are working on this point and added that the host country would ensure the security.

During the third round of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Jirga Commission held in the end of July in Nathiagali the two sides pledged to do their best to bring about peace and curb terrorism in the region as well as the resolve the disputes and differences between the two countries through the traditional Jirga system.

Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao who was also the head of Pakistani Jirga Commission had made it celar at Nathiagali meeting that it would be ensured that no Taliban supporter would participate in the Peace Jirga Commission.●