PARACHINAR: Tribal elders of Pakistan and Afghanistan decided at a jirga held on Sunday at the border to extend the ceasefire between Pakis­tani and Afghan border guards till the final outcome of the negotiations.

The jirga decided that an inspection committee consisting of experts and tribal elders from both countries would start its work on April 24 to find out a viable solution to the border and fencing disputes between the two sides.

The Pakistani delegation to the jirga was led by MNA Sajid Hussain Turi. The Afghan delegation mostly comprised members of the Zazi tribe.

Five Pakistani soldiers and 10 assailants from Afghanistan were killed recently in an exchange of fire over a border fencing dispute at the Laka Tiga post in Lower Kurram Agency.

Published in Dawn, April 23rd, 2018