Elders vow efforts at uniting tribes in the east

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Tribal elders from eastern provinces on Sunday held a gathering in the capital of Nangarhar province, vowing efforts at uniting tribes and ending the conflict.

The elders from eastern Nangarhar, Kunar, Laghman and Nuristan provinces attended the gathering at the invitation of the ‘Department of Peace, Media and Good Governance’.

Ahmad Kamil, the department head, said they wanted to narrow the gap between the government and the people through organizing such big gatherings.

He said the ongoing conflict was more dangerous than a civil war, asking the government and the National Security Council to approve a draft strategy submitted by the Peace Institute.

Solidarity among Tribes Council head, Lal Agha Kakar, said the conflict had intensified in the country, especially in the east and a large number of youth and even children were ready to fight against the government.

He hoped the gathering participants would campaign for peace as well as protection of the country’s borders.

The gathering issued a 20-article resolution letter that called for unity among tribes, extension of the jirga to other zones and a campaign against extremism.

The governors of the four eastern provinces had been invited to the gathering but only the governor of Nangarhar turned up.

Nangarhar governor Gulab Mangal said only unity could help achieve peace, saying the Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) had preferred peace over war.

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