Peace Jirga Possibly Extends to Extra Days

“So far we are working based on our timeline. If there is a need for an extension and the discussions remained incomplete, the leadership of the Council will decide about,” said Ziaulhaq Amarkhail, an organizer of the Jirga.
51 committees of the Jirga was scheduled to begin their discussions regarding peace on Tuesday but it was delayed after the election process of the administrative board of the Jirga went into controversy.
Some participants of the Jirga claimed that the presence of government delegations in the committees created chaos and a sense of limitation to express their views freely.
“During the last couple of days we haven’t received any agenda but we expect from the government to respect to our views. We will share our views in the committees and will discuss,” said Naveed Ahmad Wafa, a member of the Jirga.
“It is not clear how a government official can be a member of the Jirga and he is invited from which address,” said Rahmatullah Ziarmal, another member of the Jirga.
“We have endeavored a lot so our voices can be heard and the final decision of the Jirga must reflect the hopes and views of the participants,” said Nazdana Paktiawal, a female participant of the Jirga.
Peace talks with the Taliban insurgent group, making comments on preserving the achievements of the last 18-years, formation of a negotiating team for talks with the Taliban, determination of government policy toward the country’s which provide support to the terrorist groups in Afghanistan are four fundamental subjects which needs to be consulted to the Afghan government on the third day of the Jirga.
The four-day Peace Jirga was opened on Monday with more than 3,000 delegates from across the country.
President Ghani told the gathering that they will determine the direction of the peace process.
“We want to specify the main lines for the negotiations with the Taliban,” Ghani said to the attendants,” we want clear advice from all of you.”