KARACHI, Oct 22: Chief of the Awami National Party (ANP), Asfandyar Wali Khan, has called for holding a Loya Jirga to form a broad-based government in Afghanistan, having representatives of all the Afghan groups and tribes.

“Loya Jirga is a well-known tradition of Pahkhtoons, which has been practised for centuries in the region. It is not un- Islamic either,” he said while addressing the party workers here on Monday.

He opposed formation of any government under Zahir Shah and stressed that Loya Jirga should have the final authority to decide about the future government in Afghanistan.

The ANP chief said he had come to Karachi to apprise the Pakhtoons of the situation in the region. “The war is not against any religion but it is to curb terrorism. There is no place for terrorism in Islam,” he observed.

“Since Osama bin Laden, prime suspect in the Sept 11 attacks in the US, is not an Afghan, why the entire Afghan nation is facing the war for a person who is not even their countryman,” he questioned.

He said that Osama should be handed over to Saudi government or the Organization of Islamic Conference in order to save Afghanistan from further destruction.

“The elements, who turned Afghan-Russia war into a war against Islam, terming it Jehad, are once again trying to fulfil their desires by declaring it as a war between Islam and Christianity.

The Pakhtoons should not give an ear to such slogans,” he contended.

Mr Asfandyar appealed to western countries to stop interference in the internal matters of Afghanistan.

Condemning the killings of innocent civilians, including children and women, he asked the US to differentiate between terrorists and innocent Afghans. He felt that the matter should have been solved through diplomatic efforts instead of resorting to aggression.

The ANP chief criticized the protest strikes in Pakistan and said although every citizen had the right to protest within the law but burning shops and public transport in the name of protest would only add to the sufferings of the people who are already facing many problems.

He also appealed to the masses to remain peaceful and keep distance from the elements, who want to use this war to fulfil their desires.—PPI