Musharraf, Karzai to jointly preside over tribal jirgas

Kabul, September 30, 2006 (The News International) - Hamid Karzai Saturday hailed an agreement with Pakistan to hold separate jirgas, or councils of tribal leaders, on each side of the border.

Both Gen Musharraf and Hamid Karzai would jointly preside over the tribal jirgas on each side of the border, an Afghan official was quoted as saying and he added that it was hoped the jirgas could "empower tribal structures to fight extremists and terrorists".

Karzai said the agreement was a "first step in a very arduous journey".

"It is a very important proposal. It's a very efficient way of preventing terrorists from cross-border activities or from trying to have sanctuaries where they have sanctuaries."

Afghanistan has been suspicious of a peace agreement struck with tribal militants in Pakistan this month.

The pact is meant to end violence by pro-Taliban militants in Pakistan's North Waziristan border region. It is also meant to choke off cross-border attacks into Afghanistan.

Critics say the pact creates a militant sanctuary. The U.S. military said this week militant attacks in parts of Afghanistan opposite North Waziristan has surged by up to three times since the pact was signed.

"Let's see the result but unfortunately up to now, it has not had a good result for Afghanistan," Karzai said.

However, Karzai did not give any timeframe for these jirgas.