6 out of 10 Afghans support Loya Jirga decisions: Survey

KABUL on peace and hoped the gathering would pave the ground for peace in the country.

Around 3,200 people from all over the country participated in the massive Jirga from April 29 till May 3 in capital Kabul under tight security measures.

After intense discussions and debates, the Jirga participants, who were divided into 51 committees, presented the summary of their works in 23 points.

The Jirga asked the Taliban to renounce violence keeping in mind the worst consequences of bloodshed and take part in the rehabilitation and uplift of the country.

It demanded the Taliban and religious scholars bring unification in the interpretation of Islamic guidelines as often the teaching of Islam was interpreted in a different manner in Afghanistan.

Pajhwok Afghan News launched a survey via its Facebook social media page on Thursday morning. The survey asks people, ‘Are you satisfied with the outcome and decisions of the Loya Jirga? If yes, why?

This question was responded by 161 people as of 2pm. A hundred of the respondents said they were satisfied with the decisions of the Loya Jirga while 60 others voiced their dissatisfaction.

One of the respondent said judging the outcome of the Loya Jirga at this time would be premature.

Satisfaction with decisions of Loya Jirga

Sayed Hakim Torjan, one of the respondents of the survey, said, “I am satisfied because the Loya Jirga was not participated by a majority of warlords who do not like peace.”

Salim Waziri, another respondent, said, “We support the Loya Jirga and their communique, God may bless anyone who works for peace, peace brings development, happiness and stability.”

Hamid Ghazi also welcomed the final communique of the Consultative Loya Jirga and termed it important because it stressed nationwide truce ahead of Ramazan and called for a Taliban office in the country and release of their prisoners.

Mohammad Darwaish, another respondent, also expressed his happiness over the conduct of the jirga and said it showed the unity of Afghanistan’s ethnic groups.

He said, “It was a golden opportunity for the Taliban to welcome and pay respect to the Jirga and announce a ceasefire as the entire nation is tired of war.”

Gul Mohammad Rahmani, a resident of Pul-i-Khumri city, the capital of northern Baghlan province, termed the massive Jirga as a huge achievement and said it could facilitate a lasting peace in the country.

Mohammad Khan, a resident of western Herat province, said: “Four redlines were specified for the Taliban in the massive event and the Afghan government could enter peace talks with Taliban from a strong position and it was also a good chance for Taliban to enter an inter-Afghan dialogue with the Afghan government for a lasting peace in the country.”

Faiz Mohammad, a resident of the second police district of southern Kandahar city, rejected rumors if the Jirga was an election campaign.

He said good decisions were made by the Jirga’s participants and hoped the decisions would be practically implemented soon.

Dissatisfaction from Jirga’s decisions

Abu Omar Hanifi said the Jirga had been ordered by President Ashraf Ghani.

 Dr. Shamsullah Shams, a social media user, wrote on his Facebook account: “ I am not happy with the Jirga as its whole authority was controlled by president Ghani and all demands of Ghnai were included in the regulation letter.”

Zabihulah Aizi said, “Which outcome? Ghani tried his best to take advantage of people’s emotions.”

Saleem Amini worte the Jirga had not value.

Arbab Ahmad said the Jirga would have no impact on the peace process as Taliban militants did not accept truce.

Sheer Khan Nasari wrote, “I am not happy, because the participants did not mention bombardment on civilians as it was an important topic to be discussed.”

Bismiullah Arman, a civil society activist from southeastern Khost province, said such types of jirgas could not bring peace if they accepted orders from President Ghani.

He said the participants should have stressed an end to air and ground operations in the final communique.

Farid Ahmad Shmas, a resident Herat city, said: “clearly the Jirga did not bear fruits as Taliban did not accepte truce.”

However, Mohammad Sabir Saburi said it would be too early to express views in this regard. He said, “Time would tell if the decisions remain on paper alone.”

mds/pk/ma