PESHAWAR, Nov 3: The Afghan government will hold elections for Afghan refugees living in Pakistan enabling them to elect 13 members to represent them in the Loya Jirga in Kabul.

This was stated by regional coordinator for Afghan Constitution Drafting Commission Haji Zahir Khan Jabarkhel on Monday.

Talking to Dawn he said that the government, in collaboration with the United Nations, would begin the electoral exercise in Peshawar from Tuesday which would continue till Nov 13.

He said that the commission had divided the NWFP and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas into different zones to elect seven representatives, including a woman, for the next Loya Jirga which would meet in Kabul on Dec 10. Throughout Pakistan refugees will elect 13 Jirga representatives.

Mr Jabarkhel said that so far two candidates were in the run from the Kohat zone for the Loya Jirga membership and added that 45 elders and notables would elect their candidates through secret ballot.

The grand Jirga will accord approval to the new Afghan constitution.

The Afghan government has set an office in its Peshawar-based consulate for monitoring the electoral process.

Zone 1 includes Afghan refugees residing in Kohat, Hangu, Tall and the Kurram agency whereas Bannu, D I Khan, Tank and Lakki Marwat comprise Zone 2. The third zone includes the Bajaur agency and the Malakand region.

Zone 4 constitutes areas of Swabi, Mardan, Abbotabad and Mansehra. Peshawar and refugee camps situated in the its adjacent areas have been placed in a single zone.