KARACHI, Oct 23: The Central Council of the Pakistan Oppressed Nations’ Movement (PONM), an alliance of 12 nationalist parties, on Tuesday, appealed to the world community not to interfere in the internal affairs of Afghanistan and allow the people to decide their fate.

The two-day meeting, which concluded here was attended by representatives of all the component parties.

Briefing newsmen, PONM chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai said foreign interference was the main problem, which could never be solved until the Afghan people were given complete sovereignty to overcome the crisis through their centuries-old traditional methods.

“History is a testimony that the Afghans never allowed nor accepted foreign interference. In extreme crisis, a Loya Jirga (grand assembly) had to take decisions, which successfully managed to bring themselves out of the crises,” he added.

He said the western countries should stop interfering in Afghanistan as it was essential for the formation of a broad- based government in that country through a Loya Jirga.

He said representatives of all Afghan groups and tribes, including Zahir Shah, be invited in which the decision of the grand Afghan assembly should be final.

“Since Osama bin Laden, prime suspect in Sept 11 attacks in America, is not an Afghan, why the entire Afghan nation is facing the war for him,” he questioned.

He expressed sorrow over the killing of innocent civilians and asked the US to differentiate between terrorists and innocent Afghans. He urged the international community to distribute relief goods through the UN.—PPI