Less civilian casualties last week as hopes for peace revive

KABUL (Pajhwok): Forty-nine civilians were killed and wounded last week in Afghanistan while the numnber of civilan casualties in the previous week stood at 366.

The reduction in civilian casualties last week happened as peace efforts continued and people’s hopes for a peaceful settlement to the conflict revived again.

• Taliban: Ready for serious talks with government negotiating team
• US: Diplomatic efforts for peace in Afghanistan to continue
• China: Ready to host Afghan peace talks
• US Congress members: Taliban will capture Afghanistan after US forces pull out but US Chief Negotiator Zalmay Khalilzad disagreed with the opinion
• Khalilzad: Taliban will face regional and international curbs if they tried to get power by force
• Mohib: Pakistan trying to expand its borders by supporting a strong power-seeking group
• Reports: US begins construction of military base on the other side of Durand Line in an attempt to fight terrorism
• Pakistan: Kabul seeking Islamabad support and also leveling allegations
• Last week sees less civilian casualities compared to past eight weeks

Attacks, civilian causalties:

Thrity-one civilians were killed and 18 others injured in 11 attacks in seven provinces — Helmand, Ghor, Logar, Baghlan, Nangarhar, Jawzjan and Kabul last week.

The previous week, 112 civilians were killed and 254 others injured in 21 attacks in Kabul, Zabul, Parwan, Kunduz, Kandahar, Logar, Nangarhar, Khost, Herat, Paktia and Uruzgan provinces.

In these attacks, security forces and the Taliban also suffered casualties but Pajhwok did not publish the figures because enough information with authentic sources was not available to support their casualty figures.

Peace Efforts:

The Taliban said they are ready for serious talks with government delegation in Doha. The Afghan government delegation is also confident that talks with the Taliban will continue.

President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani has launched discussion with politcans over the formation of Supreme State Council (SSC) but a difference of opinion over the membership and powers of the council exists. Experts believe SSC will play crucial role in the establishment of peace in the country.

US offiicals says diplomatic efforts for peaceful settlement of Afghanistan conflict will continue. China also said it was ready to support Afghan government fighting terrorism and host peace talks.

Religious scholars from some Islamic countries have said that all sides should take steps for peace in Afghanistan.

Military preparedness and concerns over foreign forces pull out:

China believed that a hastey US withdrwal from Afghanistan has harmed the peace process and stressed that UN should play crucial role in current situation of Afghanistan.

Last week, US Congress Foreign Relations Committee expressed concern over US forces hasty pullout from Afghanistan and said the pullout may cause domestic conflict and it seems that the Taliban will capture Afghanistan after complete withdrawal of foreign forces.

But US Chief Negotiator Zalmay Khalilzad disagreed to these opinions and said the Taliban were in search for a political settlement that could give them legitimacy at international level and currentl US, UN curbs on the group are removed.

He also said if the Taliban attempted to cease power by force they will be faced with isolation, regional and international sanctions.

Khalilzad said: “After the pull out of foreign forces from Afghanistan, Afghanistan’s neighbors have been told for cooperation in monitoring situation in Afghanistan and assessing possible potential future threats from terrorism.”

There are some reports that US had started construction of military bases on the other side of Durand Line in Shelizan, Tari Mangal and JazoMaidan areas. Local residents have confirmed to Pajwhok the development but US officials have not yet spoken in this regard.

Afghan, Pakistani officials heated remarks:

Afghanistan Foreign Minister Haneef Atmar last week said a visiting Pakistan delegation reached some agreements with Afghan officials and both sides will take some practicel steps for peace in the light of these agreements.

But later Afghan National Security Advisor Hamdulah Mohib during a gathering said Pakistan has nefarious designs and was in the search of expanding its borders by using a power greedy group.

In response to Mohib’s heated remarks, Pakistan’s foreign minister asked President Ghani to identify their demands. Foreign Minister Qureshi asked why Afghan government from one side was seeking Pakistan’s cooperation and on the other was leveling allegation against Islamabad.

In response to Qureshi’s remarks, Deputy Interior Minister SediqSediq on his twitter worte: “Afghans want from Pakistan to close Taliban’s councils offices, cut off ties with Taliban and close their safe havens.”

The exchange of heated remarks between Afghan and Pakistani officials come at a time when according to experts Pakistan if desired could play a crucial role in Afghan peace process.

US Foreign Serectery Antony Blinken also had phone call with his Pakistani counterpart Qureshi and discussed matters related to Afghanistan. Both sides have stressed the need for a political settlement of Afghanistan conendurm.

Ulema role urged in peace process:

Hizb-e-Islami Afghanistan HIA Splinter Group Leader Jumma Khan Hamdard said few persons held monopoly over peace process, adding if these individuals want fighting could come to an end.

Some religious scholars and civil society activists in Khost said honest religious scholars should be given active role in peace process if the government wanted to end ongoing bloodshed and fighting.

Last week, some civil society activists during a gathering in Balkh province asked conflicting sides to ensure the security of civilins during firefight.

 

 

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