Afghanistan-Pakistan Jirgagai Islamabad Declaration

Afghanistan-Pakistan Jirgagai Islamabad Declaration

Afghanistan-Pakistan Jirgagai held its first meeting in Islamabad on 27-28 October 2008. The Jirgagai, consisting of 25 members each from both Afghanistan and Pakistan was envisaged in the declaration of the First Joint Peace Jirga held in Kabul from 9th-12th of August 2007. The Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi inaugurated the Jirgagai.

Afghanistan-Pakistan Jirgagai Islamabad Declaration

Afghanistan-Pakistan Jirgagai held its first meeting in Islamabad on 27-28 October 2008. The Jirgagai, consisting of 25 members each from both Afghanistan and Pakistan was envisaged in the declaration of the First Joint Peace Jirga held in Kabul from 9th-12th of August 2007. The Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi inaugurated the Jirgagai.
The Afghan component of Jirgagai was led by Dr. Abdullah Abdullah and the Pakistani side was led by Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani. Both Foreign Minister of Pakistan and the leadership of the Jirgagai reiterated their resolve to pursue the implementation of the Joint Peace Jirga recommendations. The discussions of Jirgagai were held in very cordial and friendly atmosphere and in the spirit of mutual trust and confidence.

The Jirgagai held extensive rounds of discussions during joint working sessions and agreed to:

1. Re-affirm the deep rooted bonds of common history, culture, traditions, and the glorious faith of Islam between the two countries and their peoples. They expressed their deep commitment to further strengthen ties of friendship and brotherhood between the two countries.
2. Stress the fact that the destinies of the two countries are closely interlinked. Peace and stability in one is sine qua non for peace and stability in the other.
3. Express deep commitment for creating peaceful and stable environment in the region which is necessary for prosperity and development of the two peoples.
4. Recognize that with fully functional democracies, having vibrant institutions in both countries, the pace of cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan had gathered momentum and the prospects of peace and progress had brightened.
5. Recognize that militancy and terrorism are common threats, which require a coordinated response.
6. Recognize that curse of terrorism and terrorist acts i.e. suicide bombing, killing of innocent people, destroying institutions of public interest are anti humanity and against the spirit, essence and values of Islam.
7. Emphasize the urgent and imperative need of dialogue and negotiations with the opposition groups in both countries with a view to finding a peaceful settlement of the ongoing conflict, upholding the supremacy of the constitutions of both countries. The Jirgagai decided that channels of communication would be opened with the opposition groups in both countries. In this context, a committee of prominent individuals would be constituted to initiate contacts with the opposition groups in both countries. The Jirgagai decided to authorize the two chairmen to nominate members of such committee and its contact groups. This committee will also make recommendations to the governments, with a view to denying sanctuaries to the terrorists and subversive elements in both countries.
8. Use customs, traditions and revaj as appropriate means to pursue the course of dialogue to promote peace and reconciliation in both countries.
9. Strengthen the role of Ulema in the process by seeking their cooperation; also agree to give support to the local populations in order to revive and strengthen local structures and enable them to deal with the presence of terrorists and restore peace and stability in their respective areas.
10. Constitute a second committee, comprising members from both sides to oversee the implementation of the decisions of the Joint Peace Jirga in other areas of mutual cooperation including: