Pak-Afghan jirga in UK urges peace between the two countries

LONDON: The Pakistani and Afghan communities in the UK called upon their respective governments to ease prevailing tension between the two countries.

Members from both communities held a special meeting at a local mosque in Southall, where they expressed concerns over strained ties between the two countries.

A peace jirga was also formed at the meeting, which will soon visit Pakistan and Afghanistan to convey its concerns and play its role to improve relations between the two communities.

Among the participants were Qari Tayab Abbasi, Dr Zakir Hussain, Noor-ul-Hakeem, Abdullah Alam, Sh Sarbuland and other community leaders from both sides.

After a fruitful discussion, it was decided that twelve key members of each community will approach the Pakistan High Commissioner and Afghan Ambassador in the UK and ask them to facilitate their visit to both countries. The jirga vows to play a pivotal role in helping the political leadership in confidence-building.

Addressing the first meeting, Qari Tayyab and Sh Sarbuland said nothing can part the two brotherly countries. He told the participants that Muslims residing in Britain and all over the world remain united.

Representing the Afghan community, Dr Zakir Hussain, Noor-ul-Hakeem and Abdullah Alam said that there is no difference between the peoples of Pakistan and Afghanistan. They informed the meeting that the peace jirga will soon be expanded throughout the UK and Europe.