Taliban can’t negotiate with govt team on Sharia basis: Saleh

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): First Vice President Amrullah Saleh on Thursday said the Taliban could not give legitimacy to their violence from religious perspective and wanted to talk peace with the Afghan negotiating team based on their agreement with the US.

He said the Taliban could no longer continue the war under the pretext of Sharia and that was why they were insisting on their agreement with the US to be the basis of peace negotiations.

Saleh, who accompanied President Ashraf Ghani on his visit to eastern Nangarhar province, expressed these views during a gathering.

He assured that no one’s rights and sacrifices would be compromised during the peace talks and the government would continue with the flag and democratic system.

“We will not compromise on martyrs, republic, flag and women rights. Nothing would be sacrificed during peace talks,” he said.

He said the peace process was a lengthy process and would not end soon because the Taliban were opposed to the existing system and its achievements. “The Afghan government demand is that after peace talks the future leadership of the country would be decided through elections.”

Saleh said the Taliban were afraid of elections as they believed the people would reject them. Nh/ma