GARDEZ (Pajhwok): Tribal elders and religious scholars in southeastern Paktia province have urged the incoming government to work for bringing peace and preventing foreign interferences in Afghanistan’s affairs.

The call came at a gathering held late on Wednesday evening in the provincial capital Gardez. The participants stressed non-controversial and competent individuals be appointed as government’s peace emissaries.

Peace Committee head Maulvi Khaliqdad said the president-elect, Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, should foil foreign meddling. He said the Afghans were until recently not independent in making peace and there had been much interference.

The peace negotiator said the president-elect should convince neighbouring countries and the world at large that a peaceful Afghanistan was in the interest of all.

One tribal elder Haji Khwanai Jahani called on Ashraf Ghani to include an accelerated peace campaign among his top priorities. He said only committed individuals be named on the High Peace Council.

Another tribal elder Haji Nawaz said the people had voted for the new government to achieve peace and enable Afghanistan to stand on its own feet in terms of economic development.

ma/mud