'Peace jirga' asks Pak govt, Taliban to extend ceasefire

A 'peace jirga' called by the Jamaat-e-Islami today asked the Pakistani government and the Taliban to extend the ceasefire and remove all hurdles in the way of talks.
The meeting overwhelmingly supported the ongoing negotiation process with the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan for durable peace.
In a declaration, the tribal leaders backed the peace process in light of unanimous resolutions passed by All Party Committee and the Parliament.
The 'jirga' appreciated the efforts of both the government and Taliban's negotiating committees.
The declaration demanded constitutional, political, economic and education reforms in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and called upon the government to make legislation to enhance representation of tribal areas in the Parliament and the judiciary.

Addressing the participants, Jamaat-e-Islami chief Siraj-ul-Haq said they want justice and parity in the country as only society based on justice and equity can survive in the world.

He said common people of the country are patriot and they are ready to render sacrifices to defend the motherland.
Maulana Sami-ul-Haq, the head of the Taliban Dialogue Committee, said all tribal elders fully support peace talks.
He said all the people will have to gather on a single platform to achieve lasting peace.
Member Taliban dialogue committee Professor Ibrahim also addressed the 'jirga'.
Ibrahim said the Pakistan Army and the Taliban were the real parties to the peace talks. Both Ibrahim and Haq gave assurances that the Taliban would accept the constitution of Pakistan.