KABUL (SW): A top government spokesman said on Saturday the stalled peace talks with the rebels can only resume if the Taliban obey the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and promise not to harm the gains the country made in the past 14 years.
Zafar Hashimi, the Presidential Spokesman told journalist in Kabul that these were the two pre-conditions for resumption of the peace talks.
Last week, the Taliban said in a statement that they were ready for the talks provided the Afghan government acknowledge their demands. They demanded for the implementation of the Islamic Shariat and the complete withdrawal of the foreign troops.
Jawed Faisal, Spokesman for the Chief Executive Office said in this regard that ceasefire by the rebels was the primary condition for any talks to proceed. He told Salam Watandar that if Pakistan really wanted to support the peace process it should stop supporting the Taliban.
The second round of nascent peace talks was suspended when it was revealed Mullah Omar died over two years ago. The U.S. President Barak Obama however, has recently said efforts were underway to resume the talks. Obama is likely to discuss this matter with the Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who would visit Washington next week.
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