MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): A number of civil society activists in northern Balkh province on Monday urged conflicting parties to declare a general ceasefire and start an intra-Afghan dialogue for the long-lasting peace in the country.
The activists raised their demand during a gathering at Amanullah Khan square in Mazar-i-Sharif City, the provincial capital on Monday. They accused US and Taliban militants for not working honestly for the peace process.
Navid Ahmad Safari, the Afghanistan-New-Fasal Association head, told Pajhwok Afghan News the purpose of the gathering was to call on the warring parties to bring an end to the on-going conflict in Afghanistan.”
He added this conflict caused poverty and misfortune in the country. Navid said declaration of a general ceasefire could provide an opportunity for an intra-Afghan dialogue.
Mohammad Ali Mirzai, another civil society activist, told Pajhwok that all Afghans have been tired of war and demanding an end to the on-going conflict across the country. He urged the government to prioritize to the peace process.
He also called on the entire nation to put pressure on the conflicting parties and declare ceasefire for reaching to long-lasting peace.
He said we should welcome those can address the Afghanistan’s long term conflict.
Some others civil society activists termed the peace talks between US and Taliban representatives as waste of time and useless in the Qatari capital of Doha city.
Ihsanullah Ahmadi, a resident of provincial capital, told Pajhwok that peace negotiation has been underway between the US and Taliban representatives from the past two years in Qatar but its fate yet to be known.
He said the peace efforts could be fruitful once Afghans set face to face for peace talks and after the intra-Afghan dialogue.
The Balkh based civil society activists raised their voice for a general ceasefire at a time as some reports say the peace talks between the US and Taliban representatives have been faced with multiple problems in Qatar.
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