The past 3 months of intense negotiations between Hizb-e-Islami(one of the 7 parties of during the jihad of Afghanistan has signed the last draft of the agreement a few days ago and handed it over to the delegation of Hizb-e-Islami to take it to Gulbadeen Hikmatyar(the head of Hizb-e-Islami) for his approval and signature. Afterwards, President Ashraf Ghani will put the final stamp and signature on it, which will seal the deal. 

Nonetheless, it’s not all that straightforward and easy. The possible arrival of Hikmatyar has also brought a lot of criticism and anger with it among some circles. Their argument is that Hikmatyar shouldn’t be welcomed to Kabul unless and until he is trialled for his crimes during the civil war and then later in the last 14 years. Most of their criticisms are based on political smearing and part of their anger is originated from personal ordeals. There is no doubt that Hikmatyar has committed some of the worst atrocities in the last few decades, but it would be utterly unfair to make him a scapegoat and blame him for everything that has happened during the civil war. If the argument is to not talk with Hikmatyar and not let him come to Kabul because he has committed crimes, then why do we talk with Taliban because they have also committed numerous crimes and atrocities as well? The fact is that we have many other men who are responsible for equally brutal crimes, yet they roam around freely. There is an obvious discrepancy and hypocrisy in such behaviour. If we are going to start talking about accountability and justice, then we should do so across the board. There shouldn’t be any amnesty for anyone. Now let’s be honest, that’s impossible to happen. Practically it also seems far from reality. Who is to say who committed how much of crimes, and who is there to provide a fair justice? We just don’t have the capacity and political impartiality to indulge ourselves in some fantasy unrealistic thoughts.

The right approach at the moment is to choose the way of Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu, which is to forgive and forget. We have to prepare for that mentally, and embrace that reality. However painful and unacceptable that may sound, but if you want to move on and achieve greater glories as a nation, then we don’t have any option but to remain realistic. I am one of those millions other Afghans who was debarred from my motherland and instead raised in the harsh conditions of refugee camps. All that was because of a few arrogant individuals and parties who have shelled Kabul mercilessly for their own personal interests. Hikmatyar was a part of that, but there were many other folks as well. So if I have to blame anyone, I won’t blame a single person. There are a whole bunch of people responsible for the calamities of our current generation. But as is the case most of the times, this world isn’t perfect and sometimes you have to compromise on things for the greater good. 

All that in mind, the most important thing for Afghanistan is to achieve peace. It’s a difficult task and one that’s promised by President Ghani to bring to the country. We as Afghans are yarning for peace, and this agreement with Hizb-e-Islami is a larger part of achieving that dream. Hence, we can’t get arrogant and carried away with slipping this opportunity. Let’s be realistic. Whether Hikmatyar’s presence in Kabul and in the government will be good or bad is still remained to be seen. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t talk to him. So for that reason, we should welcome Hikmatyar’s arrival. He is quitting all means of violence and that’s big news for every ordinary Afghan. His arrival will also hopefully put some moral pressure on Taliban to eliminate their combat role and instead opt for peace talks.

Nonetheless, Hikmatyar must ensure that he abides by the rules of the agreement and disown all sorts of terrorist activities. We are tired of wars, and we can’t afford any more wars. It’s time that we all come together and build our home country together. The past is bitter; we can’t remain in the past. We must move on and aim for greater glories.  

View expressed in this article are of the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Pajhwok’s editorial policy.

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