MEHTARLAM (SW): The former Afghan Mujahedeen leader Gulbudin Hekmatyar has urged the Taliban they cannot force their way to power, and should shun violence to join peace process.
“We cannot tolerate a war in which humans praying in the mosques are killed, murder of Muslims is forbidden! And the armed rebels must stop this war the sacrifices of which are the Afghans”, the 69-year-old chief of the Hezb-e-Islami said. In his first public address after returning to Afghanistan following almost two decades of self-imposed exile, Hekmatyar said Afghans need to lead and own the peace process in a bid to end the bloodshed.
Gulbudin’s return to the political arena is in line with the September 2016 peace accord between the Afghan government and his party.
Speaking on the occasion, Akram Khpalwak, Presidential Advisor on Political Affairs, hailed the peace deal with Hekmatyar, and thanked the international community for backing it. He vowed the government is committed to abide by its commitments in this regard. In a separate message, the Arg (Presidential Palace) has welcomed Hekmatyar, and has assured of its commitments to the peace accord.
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