“Loya Jirga” held 17 times officially in Afghanistan history
KABUL: (MEP) – Loya Jirga, as cited in the constitution, has become a political tradition and the leaders hold such large gatherings to strengthen government system and overcome national and international problems.
Having long history in Afghanistan, Loya Jirga is held to find solution to the country’s large problems. Its participants at the country and village level gather to debate on the most important issues.
So far in Afghanistan, 17 Loya Jirga (Grand Assembly) have been set up, beginning from southern city of Kandahar during the reign of Mirwais Nika in 1709.
In 1709, Mirwais Nika brought the people together in a Jirga to debate and put an end to the dominance of Safavid leader Gurgin Khan, a ruthless Georgian.
The second Jirga was organized in 1747 in Naderabad area of Kandahar to pay homage to the reign of Ahmad Shah Durrani, Ariana news reported.
Another Loya Jirga was set up in 1841 at the residence of Abdullah Achekzai in Kabul to call the people in the first Anglo-Afghan War.
Ameer Sher Ali Khan, the ruler of Afghanistan, also called a Jirga in 1863 to strengthen its reign against his brothers. About two thousand people attended this Jirga in Kabul and announced their support of reign of Sher Ali Khan.
The First World War also caused holding of a Loya Jirga during the reign of Ameer Habibullah Khan. In this Jirga the participants declared their neutrality in the War.
The eastern city of Jalalabad also hosted a Loya Jirga in 1922 during the reign of Amanullah Khan. 872 people attended this Jirga aimed at social reform.
The Paghman district, outskirts of Kabul, have twice hosted the Loya Jirga in 1924 and 1928 aimed at reviewing the decisions made at Jalalabad Jirga.
Nadir Shah, once the king of Afghanistan, also called a Loya Jirga with the participation of 301 people to establish guidelines for the National Assembly elections and the color of the national flag.
In 1941, once again the representatives of Afghanistan gathered in Habibia School of Kabul to declare their neutrality in the Second World War.
The last king of Afghanistan, Muhammad Zahir Shah, also called a Loya Jirga in 1955 to discuss the issue of how to defend the country.
In 1964, about 450 people gathered in Kabul to debate on the Three Branches of the Government, activities of political parties and the freedom of media.
Sardar Dawood Khan, the first President of Afghanistan, twice called the Loya Jirga, once for the legitimacy of his Presidency and the second time for the approval of the Constitution.
After the military coup, during the government of Dr. Najibullah the Loya Jirga was organized thrice in 1985, 1987 and 1989 for the approval of the constitution and other issues.
After the fall of Taliban regime, the current President Hamid Karzai was elected as the head of the Transitional Administration in a Loya Jirga in 2002 participated by 1,200 representatives.
Again the new constitution of Afghanistan was passed in a Loya Jirga held in 2003 attended by 500 representatives.
To discuss cooperation between Afghanistan and Pakistan on fight against terrorism, another Loya Jirga was organized in 2007 with the participation of 610 people.
In 2010, another Jirga was set up aimed at establishment of High Peace Council and handover of US-led prisons to Afghans.
A year later in 2011, the Loya Jirga was called to debate on long-term strategic cooperation agreement between Kabul and Washington. About 2,300 people took part in this Jirga.
And now 2,500 dignitaries have taken part in the Loya Jirga of 2013 started from Thursday 21st November to be continued until November 24. This Jirga is aimed at debating the security agreement between Afghanistan and US.
