Senate to form panel to prepare peace strategy

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Meshrano Jirga or Senate on Sunday decided to create a commission for formulating a peace strategy, with some lawmakers terming the on-going peace process as ambiguous.

Senate Chairman FazalHadiMuslimyar told the upper house today that a Peace Monitoring Commission would be formed.

He said the Commission would be comprised of 15 members and would be tasked to promote peace related matters, formulate peace strategy and share it with the government and foreign embassies in Kabul.

He asked the standing committees of the house to introduce one member each to the commission.

Senator Abdul LatifNuhzatyar said that government representatives in Turkey Conference should have one agenda and single strategy for peace.

“Individuals going to the conference should defend the interest of Afghanistan so that the past 20 years achievements are protected,” he said. He hoped that the UN-sponsored Turkey Conference would help restore peace in the country.

Lawmaker Gulalai Noor Safi showed opposition to different strategies from government and its organs and stressed the republic side should present one strategy in the upcoming Turkey Conference.

“We hope that democracy shall be defended in one voice in Turkey Conference,” she said.

“Afghanistan is not a laboratory where every few years a new system is tested. We want an end to the war and establishment of durable peace in the country,” she said.

Wolesi Jirga Assistant Secretary Faisal Sami said: “Moscow meeting showed that the Taliban are not ready for peace as still they are using violence. They believe they will deceive few politicians and give them share in interim government.”

He said government strategy is an inclusive strategy and the Taliban should not be worried about election if they want power.

nh/ma