Pakistan-Afghanistan peace jirga to be held in Peshawar on March 31
PESHAWAR: A peace jirga between Pakistan and Afghanistan is scheduled to take place in Peshawar on March 31.
The jirga is meant to foster trust and ease tension between the two countries. It will also open the door for meaningful negotiations between the two countries.
Former KP chief secretary Arbab Shezad Khan made the announcement on Saturday during a joint news conference with Haji Sohrab Ali Khan of Qaumi Islahi Tehreek.
Attendees and Objectives
Arbab Shezad stated that the meeting would comprise politicians, tribal leaders, religious scholars, civil society representatives, businessmen, and journalists.
He also stated that politicians who had previously contributed to the peace process between Pakistan and Afghanistan would attend the meeting.
“The focus would be on mutual respect, trust-building, and honest negotiations for peace,” Arbab Shezad stated.
“A joint declaration would be issued at the end of the jirga supporting peace efforts. It would be sent to the governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan.”
He emphasized that the situation between the two countries was presently very tense. “Holding this jirga is the need of the hour,” Arbab Shezad stated.
Participants are expected to call on the leaders of both countries to announce an immediate ceasefire. They will also seek to lower tensions and settle all disputes through dialogue and diplomacy.
Context of Rising Tensions
The announcement comes at a critical juncture. Pakistan is currently in the midst of Operation Ghazab lil-Haq to root out terrorists who operate from Afghan territory.
The operation began last month in response to repeated border assaults by the Afghan Taliban government.
The relationship between the two nations has remained tense since the suicide bombings in Islamabad, Bajaur, and Bannu were traced back to Afghan militants.
Pakistan responded with strong retaliatory strikes.
The two nations had agreed to a ceasefire in October 2025, but it did not last long. Afghan forces opened fire at several border points. Pakistani authorities believe the firing was to facilitate the movement of militants into Pakistan.
The latest ceasefire agreement was facilitated by Turkiye and Doha in Qatar. However, talks in Turkiye did not bear fruit.
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