KABUL members on Tuesday urged the government to share its seven-point peace plan with the Senate for approval.
After nine rounds of peace talks between the US and Taliban representatives, US President Donald Trump called off peace talks with Taliban after the car bombing in Kabul that killed at least 10 people, including an American soldier on September 08,2019.
According to some reports, US and Taliban representatives recently met in Qatar on decreasing violence in Afghanistan.
A day earlier, Presidential Palace spokesman Sidiq Sidiqi tweeted, “Ceasefire is an international experience and for us, peace means the end of war.
He said “Our goal is the ceasefire like one established in the country two years ago during Eid.”
In October, the National Unity Government (NUG) proposed a seven-point peace plan with Taliban militants.
The first point of the peace plan document reads: “We propose to the US to jointly develop an implementable mechanism and plan with Afghanistan for withdrawal of US forces and a CT cooperation framework for post-withdrawal period. This could build upon the US’s discussions with the Taliban and salvage parts of the past year’s efforts that were undertaken by the Americans.”
The second point states that “once the Taliban have assurances (only assurances at this stage) that foreign troops, which they claim to be the problem, will leave, the previously constructed inclusive 15-member Negotiations Team will participate in negotiations with the Taliban.”
The document adds that these potential negotiations will occur in an “inclusive and consultative manner” in order to ensure that all Afghans feel represented and have a voice.
Before the negotiations begin, the Afghan people and government will “demand the Taliban to enter into a mutual ceasefire a) to prove that they have maintained unity of their command and b) to provide space for successful talks.”
The third point says Pakistan is “the root of the problem” and the government will seek assurances that Pakistan will not harbor terrorists, and in return Afghanistan will pledge to be an active partner in trade, commerce and energy, which can be a help to Pakistan’s economy.
The fourth point is “discussions with neighbors, (the) region, and the Islamic World …will provide mutual assurances of non-interference between these countries and Afghanistan, and assurances by Afghanistan that it will continue to evolve into a country that emanates economic possibility instead of regional instability.”
The document states efforts will be made to find “shared interests” with an “economic-centric and regional connectivity approach.”
The fifth point of the classified document says that the Afghan government will aim to engage the European Union, European countries, the United Nations, the World Bank and others to partner with Afghanistan and design and implement comprehensive development programs that can guide the nation on a long-term path to development in its “post-peace agreement phase.”
The sixth point suggests that to “sustain and strengthen the peace which could potentially be achieved with efforts outlined above, Afghanistan will need to continue to strengthen the Islamic Republic as a system of governance, further strengthen the ANDSF, improve governance and curb corruption, and work out mechanisms for systemic political inclusion of all Afghans.”
And the last seven point acknowledges that “each district of Afghanistan has its own unique drivers of conflict and they need to be identified and addressed.”
It goes on to mention promoting rule of law, rural development programs and “mechanisms to include people in local politics,” among other initiatives.
The Meshrano Jirga discussed this issue during today’s session. Senator Anar Kali Hunaryar, supported the government peace plan and said: “Temporary ceasefire and a reduced violence has no practical path and a general ceasefire should be declared to facilitate intra-Afghan dialogue.”
Mauddin Munisf from central Kapisa province said: “If Taliban militants are really interested in peace, they should announce truce before peace talks with Afghan government because without declaring ceasefire, the peace talks could not be fruitful.”
However, RahmatAchakzai, a lawmaker from southern Kandahar province, said he supported the government offer to the Taliban for reconciliation.
He said the government should not bring further pressure on the Taliban if they were not willing to accept all the points because pressure in this regard could eliminate hopes created for peace in the country.
Senate Chairman FazalHadiMuslimyar said he also supported the peace offer. He urged the government to share the seven-point peace plan with the Senate for approval.
He said reduction of violence and temporary ceasefire could not meet the Afghan problem and both sides should declare a lasting ceasefire.
Pk/ma
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