Jirga Calls for Pakistan-Afghanistan Ceasefire, Urges Dialogue Over Border Clashes

A 'Pakistan-Afghanistan Peace Jirga' was organised in Pakistan's Peshawar on Tuesday under the auspices of a think-tank Aspire Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and National Reform Movement (Qaumi Islahi Tehreek). Various political and religious leaders, representatives of business community and media attended the jirga, Pakistan's leading daily Dawn reported.

They urged Pakistan and Afghanistan to use diplomatic channels to resolve their differences as both nations share common religious and cultural heritage, traditions and social values. They said that the ongoing conflict was a matter of concern for people of both nations and stressed that the current tense situation would lead to dire consequences for the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

After the discussion at the jirga, the participants issued a joint declaration and urged both nations to immediately declare and implement a ceasefire to de-escalate tensions.

The jirga stated, "Agree, in accordance with universally accepted international principles, that their respective territories will neither be used against each other nor be allowed to be used for any such activities. Ensure implementation of this consensus with full state authority and capacity."

It urged both nations to resolve differences through dialogue and diplomacy as war was not a solution to any problem and there was no greater guarantee for sustainable peace than mutual respect and understanding.

The jirga urged Pakistan and Afghanistan to have continuous contacts to facilitate a better understanding of each other's positions, circumstances and constraints and steps for confidence-building and encourage adherence to those measures, Dawn reported.

In recent weeks, tensions have escalated between Afghanistan and Pakistan due to airstrikes, artillery fire, and accusations from both sides.

On March 29, one person was killed and 16 others were injured after Pakistani forces launched rocket and heavy weapon attacks on residential areas in Afghanistan's Kunar province, officials said, local media reported.

The shelling hit areas near Asadabad and nearby homes, sparking fears of a wider border escalation.

Taliban spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat said that the attack targeting civilian homes occurred at around 5 pm (local time) on March 29. He said that injured people were rushed to the hospital for treatment, Afghanistan's leading news agency Khaama Press reported. He accused Pakistan of firing in residential areas near the border.

The latest attack took place just days after fighting resumed along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border after the collapse of a brief Eid ceasefire. Islamabad has said its military operations are targeting militants using Afghanistan to carry out attacks inside Pakistan, a claim rejected by the Taliban.

- IANS