The Grand Consultative Jirga on Peace scheduled for the end of this month was boycotted by another presidential candidate – a move which has been done by six election tickets.

The peace Jirga, according to the High Peace Council, will host almost 2,500 delegates from around the country, who will discuss the future of the peace process.

Shahab Hakimi, a presidential candidate, said he sees political motives behind the peace Jirga.

“What has been outlined, will be discussed and it is obvious that the outline is to prolong the current government’s term and do election campaign. Thus, it is not acceptable for us and I will not attend the event,” Hakimi said. 

The first presidential candidate who boycotted the Jirga was Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah who announced his decision in a statement by the Stability and Partnership election team on April 14.

“We do not have good experiences from such events. (former President Hamid) Karzai had arranged such a Jirga to hear people’s opinions, but the delegates voted against Karzai’s expectations,” said Assadullah Walwalji, a political analyst. 

Sayed Ali Kazimi, a spokesman of the High Peace Council – which is responsible for organizing the Jirga – said the Jirga will be held and that they hope that all presidential candidates will attend it.

“We hope that the Jirga will have good outcomes,” Kazimi said.