PESHAWAR, May 24: Provincial Minister for Information Mian Iftikhar Hussain has welcomed convening of a two-day jirga of all Pakhtun political forces from Pakistan and Afghanistan on May 29 to deliberate on the continuous massacre of Pakhtuns and Afghans for last 35 years and restoration of peace on their soil.

The minister on behalf of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government assured the jirga, convened by veteran politician Afzal Khan Lala, of their full support.

Mr Hussain was presiding over a meeting in his office wherein arrangements for the jirga and responsibilities of the provincial government concerning reception, transport, boarding and security of the delegates were discussed.

The participants were informed that delegates from Pakistan, Afghanistan and other countries would be participating in the jirga being held in Peshawar.

The minister said that being the government of the hosting province they would provide hospitality to the delegates
according to the traditions of Pakhtuns and Afghans.

He said that the recent wave of terrorism had claimed the lives of over 750 staunch workers and office-bearers of the Awami National Party. He said that the provincial government was taking all possible steps for peace and security in the region.

He regretted that despite being a peaceful nation the Pakhtuns and Afghans had hardly been spared a 100 years in last 5,000 years known history for peaceful existence, as they had always been victims of foreign conspiracies.

Mr Hussain said that restoration of peace remained their goal and whosoever coming forward in this regard would be welcomed.

With regard to the initiative of Afzal Khan Lala, the minister praised perseverance of the veteran politician for upholding the cause of Pakhtuns and Afghans. He said that Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti would also participate in the opening
ceremony of the jirga.

The meeting was also attended by secretary information Azmat Hanif, additional secretary administration Qaiser Alam, director information Shuaibuddin, director culture Pervez Suabatkhel, ANP’s vice-president Tajuddin Khan, general
secretary Arbab Tahir and secretary information Ghulam Mustafa. — APP