Pakistan minister lauds meeting

KABUL, Afghanistan, Aug. 10 (UPI) -- Pakistan Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao reportedly told the joint Pakistan-Afghanistan Jirga in Kabul his country wants peace in the region.

The tribal meeting, attended by hundreds of tribal leaders, has been called to find a peaceful way to resolve the rising militant violence raging across the borders of the two countries.

Aftab Sherpao, elected Thursday as co-chair of the meeting representing Pakistan, said his country also wants to see a prosperous and developed Afghanistan as its neighbor, Pakistan media and agency reports said.

Representing Afghanistan as co-chair is former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, taking the place of President Pervez Musharraf, who canceled his visit abruptly, were on hand for the election, the reports said.

Aftab Sherpao was quoted as saying the task before the Jirga was difficult but not impossible and urged both sides to work together to eliminate extremism and terrorism.