Jirga- Why many could not get it?

[Toramana]

The four- day long Jirga in Kabul came to an end with fully extending support to President Karzai’s vision of planned strategic agreement with the United States for post 2014 Afghanistan. The Jirga preceded by wider criticism in Afghanistan and in the west. For example, the two main criticisms were: it was argued that despite the Parliament in session, Jirga was held: the underlying thrust of the argument was the lack of constitutional provision justifying holding a Jirga when there is a functioning Parliament.

The second argument was: Afghanistan needs modern politics and it needs to bring to an end holding of traditional Jirgas whereas political parties should be crystallising the grievances or problems/interests of the people through the Parliament. The above criticism mainly came from more-politically-active figures, intellectual and member of civil society belonging to the Afghan north. Western arm-chairs analysts have questioned the legitimacy of the Jirga based mainly on these two arguments.

However, a detached look at the opposition to the Jirga suggests that there are other misconceptions of the non-Pashtuns in Afghanistan bubbling under the surface finding ways into public debate on such occasions. These narratives paddled by many have created misperceptions among the non-Pashtuns stemming, though, from some inherent difficulties...

http://pashtunchronicle.com/Blogs/ta...-Assakzai.aspx

[ComradePashtun]

There is constitutional provision for the president to refer to Loya-Jirga or popuous advice on critical naitonal issues. This Jirga was more legitimate AND REPRESENTATIVE than the fraudulent illegitimately miss-representative parliamant we have in place. For example, the people's view who are most directly and widely affected by the this strategic pact, the on going war, making peace with the arm opposition is a must, which makes up half of the country. Now can we say that 75% of the populaiton of Ghazni from around 9 districts who are Pashtuns and yet all 11 members of the parliamant are from the ethnic minority group Hazaras from only about two districts can represent that entire populaiton of this province? No I don't think. Never. Now apply this scenario to almost all over the country. So this is a futile argument.

As for the second argument, in Afghanistan we have traditional political structure and culture which still till this day over-rides the so called political parties. The only parties we have are the so called decaying warlords parties of the 1992-96.. So which political party should speak for the people of south for example, let alone north which is yet a more complex case? Western amr-chair analysts are fools.

I would go with the detached look at the oppostition to Loya Jirga "However, a detached look at the opposition to the Jirga suggests that there are other misconceptions of the non-Pashtuns in Afghanistan bubbling under the surface finding ways into public debate on such occasions. These narratives paddled by many have created misperceptions among the non-Pashtuns stemming, though, from some inherent difficulties..."

As for the strategic pact with the US, I am of the view that this Jirga was a to beffudle the general public. It will happen any way.