Ulema say ready to mediate between govt, Taliban

KABUL.

Talking to reporters after their gathering, the religious scholars urged the Taliban militants to extend their ceasefire the way the government did and respond positively to the direct talks offer.

Mualvi Attaullah Faizan, a religious scholar and member of the Provincial Council, said peace guaranteed greater welfare and every Afghan was thirsty for peace which needed practical steps to be established.

 “The ulema are ready to mediate between the government and the Taliban because the three day truce showed the entire nation wants peace and stability in the county,” said Faizani.

Mohammad Mesbah, head of the Shia Mosques at the Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs, also demanded the Taliban renounce violence and join peace talks.

The Afghan government extended by another 10 days an earlier announced ceasefire with the Taliban that went into effect from 27^th of Ramadan. The Taliban’s three-day ceasefire ended on Sunday.

nh/ma