LANDIKOTAL: The Afghan government has invited pro-Kabul tribal elders in Pakistan for a proposed jirga aimed at stemming the growing Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan, according to a tribal elder. “Kabul has invited certain tribal elders and I am one of them,” said Jamir Khan Shinwari (60). He said that joint jirgas on both sides of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border would “yield the desired results,” as tribal traditions were still strong enough to make the two sides agree to the jirga’s decisions. “The first thing that we’ll do is negotiate a ceasefire between warring sides ... this is a prerequisite for the start of the jirga,” said Jamir as the Landikotal Bazaar was completely shut to protest an attack on a madrassa in Bajaur. Asked if the Taliban would agree to the jirga’s decisions, he said that defying the jirga would “prove difficult” for the Taliban. Jamir Khan, who spent 20 years behind bars for supporting a separate homeland for Pukhtoons, said, “The Taliban are our brothers, who are being misled by some invisible forces. I hope they will agree to a ceasefire once the jirga sets conditions for the start of negotiations.”