PESHAWAR, Oct 22: Demanding immediate end to American attacks on Afghanistan to avoid killing of innocent people, the National Awami Party Pakistan (NAPP) president Ajmal Khattak has asked for holding a representative Loya Jirga under the UN supervision to help Afghans decide their future on their own.

“A Loya Jirga free from external influence, ensuring representation to all the ethnic, tribal and political groups under the direct supervision of United Nations is the only way to put an end to the prolonged Afghan conflict,” Mr Khattak said while addressing a press conference here on Monday.

Expressing concern over the reported killing of innocent people in the backdrop of US air strikes on Afghanistan, the NAPP chief said that after the Afghan nation had already undergone war for well over 20 years no one could take sides under the current crisis hence the US reprisal attacks on the war-ravaged country should be brought to an immediate end.

“The Loya Jirga,” said Mr Khattak “should be preceded by the ceasefire to help the members of the traditional representative body of Afghans to arrive at an amicable solution to their problem.”

On this occasion, he also condemned the Sept 11 terrorism attacks on the United States and said that no one could support acts of subversion in any country of the world.

“We condemn all acts of terrorism being committed anywhere in the world apart from the Sept 11 attacks,” said the NAPP chief, adding that “all basic causes of terrorism need to be resolved”.

He called upon the UN to prepare ground for holding Loya Jirga at an early date and it should also enable the representative Afghan body to enforce a ‘grand economic plan’ for the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

To help peace efforts, Mr Khattak also called upon different segments, warring groups and influentials of Afghanistan to forge unity in their ranks, shun their differences to rally round the Loya Jirga for a free, united and sovereign Afghanistan.

On this occasion, he also announced calling a Pakhtoons’ Loya Jirga in Pakistan, under the auspices of his party, in which Pakhtoons from all the political parties, tribes and influential groups would be extended invitation.

Mr Khattak also extended support to the government of Pakistan appreciating its stand by siding with the world community in its war on terrorism.