PESHAWAR: The participants of a jirga here on Tuesday called upon rulers of Pakistan and Afghanistan to stop the ongoing border clashes and resolve their conflicts through dialogue.

To address the ongoing tension between the two neighbouring countries, a ‘Pakistan-Afghanistan Peace Jirga’ was organised here under the auspices of a think-tank Aspire Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and National Reform Movement (Qaumi Islahi Tehreek).

It was attended by various political and religious leaders, representatives of business community and media. They said that both the countries should utilise diplomatic channels for resolving their differences as they shared common religious and cultural heritage, traditions and social values.

They said that the ties between them were sacred and unbreakable and the ongoing state of war between them was a matter of concern for the people of both nations. They maintained that the current tense situation was leading to dire consequences for the people of both countries.

Seeks immediate ceasefire between both countries

Prominent among the speakers were MNAs Allama Noorul Haq Qadri and Sher Ali Arbab, the parliamentary leader of Peoples Party Parliamentarian in KP Assembly, Ahmad Karim Kundi, former governor Engineer Shaukatullah, former MNA Sajid Turi, chairman of Aspire KP Arbab Shehzad Khan, leader of PML-N Arbab Khizer Hayat, senior journalists Tahir Khan, Mushtaq Yousafzai, Mahmood Jan Babar and Shams Mohmand and others.

After extensive discussion and deliberation at the jirga, the participants also issued a joint declaration. The jirga called upon both the countries to immediately declare and strictly enforce a ceasefire to allow for a reduction in tensions.

“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 6such activities. Ensure implementation of this consensus with full state authority and capacity,” the jirga stated.

It asked both the countries to declare resolving all differences and conflicts through negotiation and diplomacy as the sole priority, because war was not a solution to any problem, and there was no greater guarantee for sustainable peace than mutual respect and understanding.

The jirga asked rulers of both countries to arrange continuous contacts under a common and permanent platform to facilitate a better understanding of each other’s positions, circumstances and constraints and take concrete steps for confidence-building and promote adherence to those measures.

It also released a message for the policymakers and decision-makers of both countries that no group, its parochial interests, or the protection of those interests was so important that the broader national interests of Pakistan and Afghanistan, the security of their people, and the centuries-old historical, cultural, and religious ties between them should be sacrificed for it.

“Peace is the greatest need for both Pakistan and Afghanistan,” it resolved.

The participants said that ‘Pakistan-Afghanistan Peace Jirga’ platform was a timely requirement for progressing towards creating an environment conducive to deliberation on this most critical need of both countries.

The jirga members said that their efforts would be focused on expanding the scope of consultations under that platform to include national-level political, religious, and social leadership; and, making vigorous efforts to establish peace through purposeful citizen diplomacy in both countries.

Earlier, addressing the jirga, Arbab Shehzad stated that the sole purpose of the effort was to provide a platform to political leaders, religious scholars, tribal elders, community notables and intellectuals in KP to deliberate on the issue and, through collective wisdom and understanding, formulate recommendations for reducing tensions and progressing towards peace.

Published in Dawn, April 1st, 2026