Saturday, January 16, 2016
Kabul (BNA) Separate meetings were held with a delegation from National Assembly, High Peace Council and a council of Jihadi leaders for advancement of peace efforts here the other day, a presidential statement said.
In the first meeting, the members for High Peace Council said that war in the country has regional dimensions, adding that Afghanistan owns Islamic law and government, so there is no reason for the oppositions to continue war and barbarism in the country.
In the second meeting, a number of Jihadi leaders said that a peace atmosphere can be seen in the country more than ever, adding that they will support government’s initiative of peace talks. The leaders also considered holding of Wolesi Jirga and district councils’ elections crucial for the country.
In the third meeting, MPs, senators and chairmen of both lower and upper houses expressed their views on peace process and holding of Wolesi Jirga and district councils’ elections.
House speaker Abdul Rouf Ibrahimi said that the president’s tact, firmness and clarity toward leaders of the regional countries have made Afghanistan to enter peace talks from a strong position.
After hearing the opinions and views of the HPC members, Jihadi leaders, MPs and senators, the president said that peace efforts have two steps, first to create a framework for it and second to start peace talks with reconcilable groups.
The president said that the international community has acknowledged that war has different dimensions in the country, the international terrorists, Pakistani Taliban who have escaped to Afghanistan following Pak military operations, Haqqani network, Al-Qaida, ISIS and drug and human traffickers that trying to intensify the war so that to continue their human and drug trafficking.
“Consultations with the country’s different groups, in particular women would be continued in present and future rounds of peace talks. I am committed with holding of elections and efforts are underway to bring proper reforms, so that Afghans with full confidence cast votes in Wolesi Jirga and district councils’ elections”, the president quoted in the presidential statement, adding that Afghanistan’s current position in peace talks is due to the bravery and sacrifices of its security forces.
