A jirga (occasionally jargah) (Pashto: جرګه) is a tribal assembly of elders which takes decisions by consensus, particularly among the Pashtun people but also in other ethnic groups near them; they are most common in Afghanistan and among the Pashtuns in Pakistan near its border with Afghanistan. It is similar to that of a town meeting in the United States or a regional assembly in England, where important regional matters are addressed among the people of the area.

Afghanistan's ancient culture has influenced the modern-day nation with judicial traditions of social and political importance. Particularly prevalent is the tradition of holding Jirga. The basis for Jirga is the Holy Quran which commands Muslims to Shura (consultation), however this political gathering stems back from times prior to Afghanistan embracing Islam.[1] As has been practiced in Afghanistan for centuries, Loya Jirga is held when there is an issue of special importance concerning the community’s vital national and international interests. Jirga is a process of decision-making within the Afghan societies in which serious discussions decisions are made by involving all layers of the society. It is an unprejudiced and impartial body that takes decisions based on facts and logic.^{[citation needed]} Indeed, evolution of political systems in different countries demonstrates that governments and institutions are built as a result of local gatherings and councils. Therefore, it is proclaimed that Jirga is an important political pillar of the civil system practiced and evolved in Afghan societies for many years.

Nawaz Sharif (Punjabi, Urdu: نواز شریف; born December 5, 1949) is a Pakistani steel magnate and national conservative, serving as the 12th Prime Minister of Pakistan in two non-consecutive terms from November 1990 to July 1993, and from February 1997 until October 12, 1999. He is the President of the Pakistan Muslim League-N, the Centre-right-conservative political force in Pakistan.

Before becoming the Prime minister, Sharif served as the ninth Chief Minister of Punjab Province from 1985 to 1990 and embarked his political career under the military regime of President General Zia-ul-Haq. An advocate and businessman, he owns Ittefaq Group, a private steel mill enterprise and one of the largest producer of iron materials, noted as being as Pakistan's one of the wealthiest investor in the steel mill business. His political philosophy emphasized and reflected conservatism advocating for the free-market economy, capitalism as its economic base. His first term survived a serious constitutional crisis when President Ghulam Ishaq Khan attempted to dismissed Sharif by citing "corruption and nepotism", which Sharif strongly denied and turned to Supreme Court. The apex Supreme Court of Pakistan favored the Prime minister citing that Presidential ordnance as "unconstitutional and irrelevant", therefore the government was reconstituted. His first term was finally dismissed after the Pakistan Armed Forces persuaded him to resign to end the political standoff with President Ishaq Khan, which he too was forced to resigned.

Saleem Safi (Urdu, Pashto: سلیم صافی) is a Pakistani journalist and writer who specialises as a political analyst and talk show anchor. He has hosted various current affairs programmes in channels such as PTV News, the Pashto-language AVT Khyber and is currently serving as the host of the popular GEO News talk show Jirga. Apart from being on the television screen, Safi has written columns for the Daily Jang and The News International. As an expert on Afghanistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa affairs, he has also been invited to talk on BBC and Voice of America.

Safi is the author of Afghanistan, Taliban, Usama Aur Pakistan Ki Deeni Juma’aton ka Kirdar ("The Role of Afghanistan, Taliban, Osama and Pakistan's religious establishments"), a book largely based on the War on Terror. He is also affiliated with the Pukhtoon Students Federation.

Safi is an ethnic Pashtun and belongs to the Safi tribe. He obtained a Bachelors degree from the University of Peshawar before moving to Islamabad where he is currently based. He is less educated as compared to other anchors. People object to his views sometimes because of its naiveness.

Hamid Karzai, GCMG (Pashto: حامد کرزی, Hāmid Karzay; born 24 December 1957) is the 12th and current President of Afghanistan, taking office on 7 December 2004. He became a dominant political figure after the removal of the Taliban regime in late 2001. During the December 2001 International Conference on Afghanistan in Germany, Karzai was selected by prominent Afghan political figures to serve a six month term as Chairman of the Interim Administration.

He was then chosen for a two year term as Interim President during the 2002 loya jirga (grand assembly) that was held in Kabul, Afghanistan. After the 2004 presidential election, Karzai was declared winner and became President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. He won a second five-year-term in the 2009 presidential election.

Karzai was born on 24 December 1957 in the Karz area of Kandahar City in southern Afghanistan. He is an ethnic Pashtun of the Popalzai tribe. His father, Abdul Ahad Karzai, served as the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament during the 1960s. His grandfather, Khair Mohammad Khan, had served in the 1919 Afghanistan's war of independence and as the Deputy Speaker of the Senate. Karzai's family were strong supporters of Zahir Shah, the last king of Afghanistan. His uncle, Habibullah Karzai, served as representative of Afghanistan at the UN and is said to have accompanied King Zahir Shah in the early 1960s to the United States for a special meeting with U.S. President John F. Kennedy.