FEROZKOH (Pajhwok): A number of conflict-affected families in western Ghor province want the president, political figures and militants to enter intra-Afghan talks for the sake of lasting stability in the country.
Millions of people have suffered casualties due to four decades of war. Dozens people from both warring sides are killed and wounded on a daily basis, they lament.
All Afghans, especially war-affected families, are tired of the conflict and desire durable peace and stability in their homeland.
Pajhwok Afghan News interviewed members of several conflict-hit households, who called for an immediate end to the trail of death and destruction.
Jamal Nasir Azhand, whose brother (a member of the Afghan security forces) was killed last year, said: “The killer was a Talib.”
Pointing to the peace pact signed between the US and the Taliban in Doha last month, he believed the deal represented a good opportunity to bring peace in the country.
He called on the government, political figures and militants to begin intra-Afghan negotiations and put an end to their differences because the people were tired of insecurity and conflict.
Bibi Gul, 50, is a woman who has lost her husband and only son to the 40-year conflict. The woman stressed the need for intra-Afghan negotiations on ending the war.
She said her husband had been killed during the conflict between Soviet forces and mujahideen. Six month later, her only son was killed as a result of a roadside bombing.
Other families held similar views.
On February29, the United States and the Taliban signed a keenly-awaited peace pact on ending the war in Afghanistan in Doha.
Based on this agreement, intra-Afghan dialogue should have started on March 10, but it did not happen. However, government officials are optimistic the talks beginning soon.
President Ashraf Ghani, who inaugurated the parliament on Saturday after a 45-day winter recess, asked the Meshrano Jirga to introduce two senators -- one woman and one man – to be part of the negotiation team.
The president also urged the Wolesi Jirga and three men, for inclusion in the team.
A day earlier, both houses of parliament elected seven lawmakers to represent them in the government’s peace-negotiating team.
On Wednesday, President Ghani announced starting the process of freeing 1,500 Taliban prisoners as a goodwill gesture. He, however, warned of halting the process if the rebels did not reduce violence.
sa/mud
