PESHAWAR, Aug 19: Governor Ali Mohammad Jan Aurakzai has termed the Pakistan-Afghanistan grand jirga in Kabul the most serious attempt by the two countries to resolve contentious issues in a democratic way and in accordance with their people’s aspirations, customs, traditions and culture.

Speaking as chief guest at a ceremony organised by the Afghan Consulate in connection with the national day of Afghanistan on Saturday, Mr Aurakzai said the two countries enjoyed historic, religious, cultural and linguistic relations.

“Today, we are again jointly struggling to restore peace and normality in the region,” he said. For this purpose, efforts of the jirga were positive and the two countries would work out strategies with mutual consultation.

Mentioning efforts that had led to constitution of the joint jirga, the governor referred to the keen interest taken by President Gen Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and said it was the most serious attempt of its nature to resolve the crisis.

About the Afghan refugees’ problem, he said: “We consider them our brothers and it is our earnest desire that they return to their homeland with honour and dignity.”

Referring to trade relations between the two countries, Mr Aurakzai said the annual trade volume, which was $25 million in 2001, had surpassed $1.2 billion and would hopefully increase with time.

Earlier, Afghanistan Consul General Abdul Khaliq Farahi spoke on the struggle of Afghans to protect their freedom.

The ceremony was attended by Peshawar-based diplomats of various countries, prominent political leaders and people from different walks of life.