Jirga to discuss Pakhtun issues on 10th.

PESHAWAR -- Top leadership of Pakhtuns from Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces will put their heads together at a traditional 'Qami Jirga' in Peshawar on March 10 to discuss social, political and economic issues facing people in this part of the world and develop consensus to confront major challenges.

The Awami National Party will host the event at its central secretariat to hold deliberations on 22 points agenda, especially on Pak-Afghan relations and the share of Pakhtuns in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project.

The participants will sit in a big circle during the jirga and will hold an in-camera discussion on all issues.

ANP president Asfandyar Wali Khan will be the host of the event.

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, two factions of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, Jamaat-i-Islami, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Pakistan Peoples Party, Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, National Party-Bezanjo, Qaumi Watan Party, Pakhtun Tahafuz Movement, Mazdoor Kisan Party and civil society groups have been invited to the jirga.

Event to be attended by top Pakhtun leaders from KP, Balochistan

ANP central general secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain told Dawn that the timing of the jirga was important and leaders would hold candid discussion on issues.

He said the Pakhtun leadership would suggest solution of issues within the framework of the Constitution and law of the land.

'Historically whenever such a situation has arisen, Pakhtun leaders have always convened the jirga to discuss challenges and issues and to find out a viable solution to them,' he said.

The ANP leader said when the state institutions ignored the people's problems, it caused frustration.

'We hope that our state institutions and the government will pay attention to the recommendations of the Qami Jirga and will address problems of Pakhtuns,' he said, adding that it was the time for Pakhtun leaders...