Hectic diplomatic efforts on to convene Loya Jirga

By AIMAL KHAN
Frontier Post

PESHAWAR - The dissident Hizb-i-Islami Afghanistan leader Hamyoun Jareer held a meeting on Wednesday last with key anti-Taliban leaders in Tehran and discussed the convening of loya Jirga. According to credible Afghan sources Hamyuon Jareer held lengthy meeting with Hizb-i-Wahdat chief Karim Khalili and Uzbek warlord Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum in Tehran. A pro-Iranian Afghani leaders' group is entrusted with the task to finalise the date, venue for holding the Loya Jirga besides the list of its invitees. Hamayoun Jareer, son-in-law of Hizb-i-Islami Afghanistan chief Eng. Gulbadin Hikmatyar, who had parted ways with the latter, was reportedly instrumental in organising these meetings.. Organisers of the said consultation process are poised to hold next meeting in Islamabad and hectic efforts are under way in this regard. Some of the Afghans, who remained part of the process are very active and they are in close contact with the concerned Pakistani officials and various Afghan leaders. Hectic diplomatic and political activities, open as well as secret, are going around Afghanistan and recent visits of Afghan leaders to Iran and Saudi Arabia have proved important in this regard. Of late Iran is becoming a gathering point of anti-Taliban activities as nearly all-key opposition leaders are proceeding to this neighbouring Muslim country of Afghanistan. Prominent among the leaders presently gathered in Iran are Karim Khalili, Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum, Eng. Gulbadin Hikmatyar, while former Afghan president Prof. Burhan Uddin Rabbani is expected shortly to join them. Earlier, Peshawar-based Iranian Consul General was summoned to Teheran sources confided.