[October 29, 2008] Jirgagai to initiate talks with opposition to restore peace in Pakistan, Afghanistan Tweet ISLAMABAD, Oct 29, 2008 (Asia Pulse Data Source via COMTEX) -- Afghanistan-Pakistan Jirgagai ended here on Tuesday with the resolve to open talks with all opposition groups to find ways and means to restore peace in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The jirga concluded its two- day proceedings after deciding to constitute a committee of influential which will contact opposition on behalf of the mini jirga. Afghan members of the jirga were led by former foreign minister Dr. Abdullah Abdullah. Governor of the NWFP, Owais Ahmed Ghani headed the Pakistani delegates. Addressing a news conference here, Dr. Abdullah and Owais Ghani gave details of the decisions reached by the jirga. They said jirgagai was mandated by a 700 strong Pak-Afghan grand jirga to come up with steps to promote and maintain peace in the region. The grand jirga met in Kabul in September but the meeting of jirgagai was delayed due to the changing situation in the region. After extensive deliberations, the jirgagai consisting of 25 members from each side passed Islamabad declaration in which both sides agreed to expedite process of peace and reconciliation with opposition groups. The jirga expressed its commitment for creating a peaceful and stable environment saying it is necessary for prosperity and development of the two peoples. The committee proposed by mini jirga will also focus on bilateral security cooperation. Owais Ghani called the prevailing situation complicated as the region was facing war for a long period. He said jirga will explore all avenues to break ground and find peace. Dr. Abdullah echoed the sentiments of his counterpart saying the jirgagai met in the spirit of brotherhood and resolved to work together for the common purpose to achieve peace and security. He said jirga which has the blessing of the two governments will boost mutual trust. The two leaders were confident that the jirga would strengthen bonds of friendship between the two countries. The Afghan leader said terrorism is not only a threat to both the countries but also to the region and beyond. This threat of terrorism continues to haunt us, he added. He said the international community has a role to play to complement endeavours of the two countries in combatting terrorism. Both leaders agreed that the meeting commissioned by democratically elected governments was an opportunity for both sides to work together for common goals. Pakistans both houses of parliament recently passed a resolution recommending a set of measures to the government to curb the rising threat of terrorism. Dr. Abdullah called the 14- point resolution encouraging and helpful to the efforts of the jirga. The jirga resolved that the upholding of the supremacy of the constitutions of both countries was non-negotiable, he added. The mini jirga also constituted committees to facilitate bilateral relations between the two countries in the fields of economic development, trade, transport and transit, communication and parliamentary, cultural, educational and sports exchanges. One of the committees will also work to counter the cultivation, processing and trafficking of illicit drugs. The committees will present their progress reports to the next mini jirga which will meet in Kabul in three months time. The two sides also expressed the determination to speed up efforts to recover fghanistans Consulate General to Pakistan, Abdul Khaliq Farahi who was kidnapped from Peshawar. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi addressed the jirgagai during the inaugural session held on Monday. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]