Afghanistan Times
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What is a Loya Jirga? It’s ‘grand assembly’, an Afghan tradition dating back at least three centuries, that brings together elders and community leaders from across the country to discuss matters of major national importance. Loya Jirga is a special type of Jirga that is mainly organized for choosing a new head of state in case of sudden death, adopting a new constitution, or to settle national or regional issue such as war. According to records, in Afghanistan, Loya Jirgas have been reportedly organized since at least the early 18th century when the Hotaki and Durrani dynasties rose to power. It is worth mentioning that currently Jirga is still maintained and favored, mostly by tribal leaders to solve internal or external disputes with other tribes. In some cases it functions like a town hall meeting. This mass national gathering that brings together representatives from the various ethnic, religious, and tribal communities in the country, with core reason to discuss important affairs of the country especially in haziness situation. Moreover, Loya Jirga is a centuries-old institution that has been convened at times of national crisis or to settle national issues. Historically, it has been use to approve a new constitution, declare war, choose a new king, or to make sweeping social or political reforms. A scenario that today we, the Afghan masses have been suffering from. At status-quo, we need to have Jirga to copy with current challenges. Thought it is not an official decision-making body, but it plays a significant role in turning situation into favor. Afghan masses, even some government officials expressed their concerns in different platforms over current crisis in the country. Former President, Hamid Karzai, various political parties, a large number of lawmakers and senators, and experts called on the government to convene Loya Jirga as they see Jirga as only remedy left to lead the country towards stability and development. Several political circles, tribal elders and influential figures backed Hamid Karzai’s view that only the Loya Jirga could assess the US strategy and the current crisis. We are going through difficult time as security situation is getting worse day by day. It is a fact that enemies have miserably failed to fuel war under pretext of tribalism, sectarianism, language and party. The enemies failed in reaching their goal of dividing of Afghan people. But security situation despite other issue, have been deteriorating. Noting current challenges, only Loya Jirga seems as a visible way to get rid of it. None can deny the role of Jirga because it has been a tested solution if put a glance to its history. In the course of history, most of the problems have been solved through this Jirga, because it’s biggest act of bring order in the society. Moreover, it considers as the only social body that is acceptable by all ethnicities living in Afghanistan. Jirgas in the country have been proved as milestone in every period of time in the past, and it is very much helpful in the future. The National Unity Government has to convene Loya Jirga in order to find key to all challenges. Through lens of Jirga we could become heavier against all odds.
