Pakhtun Qaumi Jirga seeks end to meddling in Afghanistan

KABUL.

The call came in a declaration issued at the conclusion of the jirga, chaired by Awami National Party (ANP) central president Asfandyar Wali Khan in Peshawar on Tuesday.

The gathering was attended by Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM)’s head, Manzoor Pashteen and other Pashtun leaders from all political and religious parties.

Asfandyarreleased a 21-point statement at the conclusion of the meeting.He stressed an end to foreign interference in Afghanistan and said that peace and stability in the neighbouring country guarantee prosperity in Pakistan.

He also welcomed recent developments in the Afghan peace process.“Their problems could not be resolved until mistrust between neighbours is curbed,” he believed.

Asfandyar noted 12 trade routes had been shut between the two countries. If the routes were reopened, the Afghan-Pakistan trust deficit would be minimised, the veteran nationalist leader said.

According to the declaration, if peace continued to elude Afghanistan, Pakistan cannot see peace either. It urged regional countries to help strengthen the Afghan government.

The part of Balochs and Pashtuns had not been specified in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the declaration said. Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Balochistan should have their shares in the mega project..

mds/mud