AFGHAN - PAK JOINT PEACE JIRGA DECLARETION

To reaffirm and further strengthen the resolve of two brotherly countries to bring sustainable peace in the region, Afghan - Pak Joint Peace Jirga was convened in Kabul, Afghanistan from August 09 to August 12, 2007 as a result of initiative taken by the Presidents of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on September 27, 2006. This was the first historic event of its kind that opened a channel of people to people dialogue in which around 700 people including members of the parliaments, political parties, religious scholars, tribal elders, provincial councils, civil society and business community of both countries participated. The inaugural session was addressed by HE Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and HE Shauket Aziz, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The concluding session of the Joint Peace Jirga was addressed by HE Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and HE General Pervez Musharraf, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

The main recommendations made by the first Joint Peace Jirga are summarized as follows:

1. Joint Peace Jirga strongly recognizes the fact that terrorism is a common threat to both countries & the war on terror should continue to be an integral part of the national policies and security strategies of both countries. The participants of this jirga unanimously declare to an extended, tireless and persistent campaign against terrorism and further pledge that government and people of Afghanistan and Pakistan will not allow sanctuaries/ training centers for terrorists in their respective countries.

2. The Joint Peace Jirga resolved to constitute a smaller Jirga consisting of 25 prominent members from each side that is mandated to strive to achieve the following objectives:

a. Expedite the ongoing process of dialogue for peace and reconciliation with opposition.

b. Holding of regular meetings in order to monitor and oversee the implementation of the decisions /recommendations of the Joint Peace Jirga.

c. Plan and facilitate convening of the next Joint Peace Jirgas.

d. Both countries will appoint 25 members each in the committee.

3. The Joint Peace Jirga once again emphasizes the vital importance of brotherly relations in pursuance of policies of mutual respect, non-interference and peaceful coexistence and recommends further expansion of economic, social, and cultural relations between the two countries.

4. Members of the Joint Peace Jirga in taking cognizance of the nexus between narcotics and terrorism condemn the cultivation, processing and trafficking of poppy and other illicit substances and call upon the two governments to wage an all out war against this menace. The Jirga takes note of the responsibilities of the international community in enabling Afghanistan to provide alternative livelihood to the farmers.

5. The governments of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and Islamic Republic of Pakistan, with the support of the international community, should implement infrastructure, economic and social sector projects in the affected areas.

6. The comprehensive and important recommendations made by the five working committees of the Joint Peace Jirga for implementation are attached as annexure and form part and parcel of this joint declaration.

peace jirga

Photo by Fardin Waezi
Today is the last day of the four-day peace jirga between Afghanistan and Pakistan being held in Kabul. Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf is expected to make a speech at the closing ceremony.

radio station destroyed by taliban

Radio Yawali Ghag of Sayedabad district was burned down by Taliban last night.

A large number of Taliban fighters attacked the southern district of Sayedabad in Wardak province at around 02:00 AM today. A fierce battle broke out between police and Taliban using small arms and RPGs. The fight continued for three hours until the dawn, Taliban fled when Army reinforcements arrived from Kabul. A talib fighter body is left at the scene; however the accurate number of casualties from both sides is not yet confirmed.

In the first hour of attack, a group of ten or twelve came to the radio station, tied up and beaten the guard. “they took one computer and the guard with them, but burned down everything else” said Hazratuddin Nosrat manager of yawalighag radio station. The guard was later found alive in the mountains.

Radio Yawalighag is a community radio station and an affiliate of Salam Watandar network. The station was broadcasting around ten hours a day, including four hours of salam watandar. The radio station board adopted an editorial policy inline with the local culture. “we had appropriate programs. In sayedabad we have to strictly adhere with Islamic principles” said Hazratuddin Nosrat. The radio station since its establishment has managed a good community relation. it was never threaten by Taliban or any other group. The destruction of the station wasn’t a deliberate target but rather an opportunistic sabotage action. According to radio station guard, the Taliban could have been local, they had a wardak accent.

IFJ condemns abduction of Kabul reporter Kamran Mir Hazar

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is shocked to learn of the detention under murky and suspicious circumstances of Kamran Mir Hazar, chief editor for a popular news website in Kabul and reporter for Salam Watandar Radio.
According to information received from IFJ associates in Afghanistan, Mr Hazar was picked up outside his office by gunmen who identified themselves as personnel of the Afghanistan National Security Directorate (ANSD). A professional colleague’s eyewitness account reports Mr Hazar being threatened and coerced, before being taken away to an unknown location.

IFJ associates the Afghan Independent Journalists’ Association (AIJA) and the Committee to Protect Afghan Journalists (CPAJ) have since made a number of inquiries with the ANSD, only to be met with a flat denial that the agency has anything to do with Mr Hazar’s abduction.
The Ministry of Information has yet to either confirm or deny his arrest.

The IFJ learns that Mr Hazar was taken for “questioning” one month back by the ANSD, following a number of media reports critical of high-ranking Afghan government officials. Following his release after four days of detention, he was reportedly living inside the Kabul office of an international media development organization.

Journalist organisations have referred that particular detention to the empowered body under Afghan media law, for an advisory opinion about its validity under law. The IFJ understands that no official determination has yet been made and the reasons for his first detention remain unaccounted.

“We have heard from reliable sources that the program Salam Watandar, or ‘Hello, Citizen’, has been making a significant contribution to enriching the public discourse in Afghanistan”, said Jacqueline Park, IFJ’s Director for the Asia Pacific.

“We stand as one with the community of journalists in Afghanistan in demanding his immediate release and a complete accounting by the government for his continuing harassment”.

The IFJ lends its unconditional support to the AIJA, the CPAJ, and the emergency committee formed in defence of Kamran Mir Hazar.

A global body representing over 600,000 journalists in 114 countries, the IFJ fully endorses the demand made after a meeting of the emergency committee that Mr Hazar be released immediately, and that the men responsible for his abduction be identified and brought to account at once.

For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +61 2 9333 0919
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 114 countries