Peace Jirga Criticized for Having ‘No Tangible Effect’

Some political parties said on Saturday that the government has not taken any action to implement the key demands of Consultative Peace Jirga including the ceasefire, formation of negotiating team, and relocating the Taliban political office inside Afghanistan.

As the Peace Jirga concluded with a list of 23 demands from the warring parties, President Ashraf Ghani said at the closing ceremony of the gathering that the Loya Jirga resolution will be the government roadmap for the peace process.

Ghani promised that the government will be in contact with the members of the Jirga to implement their demands.

However, Erfanullah Erfan, Secretary of the Peace Jirga said that the government has not made any contact with the members of the Jirga regarding the implementation of the people’s demands.

He added that they will form a special committee to follow up their proposals with the government.

According to the politicians, the Peace Jirga had no positive achievement for peace except the wastage of $5 million, shut down of government institutions in Kabul, financial loses to the businessmen and death of a child due to road closures.

Ghulam Hussian Nasseri, an MP from Kabul said that the Jirga did not worth to what people suffered.

The Grand Consultative Loya Jirga on Peace was held for five-days in Kabul where more than 3,000 people from all walks of society gathered and suggested their consultation for peace between the Taliban and the Afghan government.

Taliban rejected the Jirga demand for an immediate ceasefire during the month of Ramadan, saying fighting has more reward during the holy month.