KABUL (SW) – Hafiz-ur-Rehman Naqi, deputy leader of Hezb-e-Islami, told Salam Watandar that a new people-centric circle of influential politicians for peace talk with the Taliban has been formed.
He did not elaborate the composition of this circle, but said the discussions on forming the group have been going on for a year and were aimed at direct talks with the Taliban. He claimed the talks with the Taliban would only be successful if the people are directly involved.
Earlier, Hezb-e-Islami leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar told a local media that some political parties and movements had entered into talks with the Taliban. Gulbuddin Hekmatyar – who has been named by the government as a member of the government's negotiating team – told the media that a number of parties had entered into direct talks with the Taliban and had reached preliminary results.
According to Hekmatyar, the presidency did not consult with a number of political parties regarding the peace talks and the formation of a negotiating team. The Hezb-e-Islami leader added that the Taliban and political parties had also spoken about the time and place of the proposed talks.
Separately, the Jamiat-e-Islami party has issued a statement saying that its leadership would not participate in peace talks on behalf of the government.
According to members of the Jamiat-e-Islami party, the inclusion of the party leader in the High Council for National Reconciliation list was done without their consultation. This party said in a statement that they have appointed an independent delegation to negotiate with the Taliban to preserve the values and achievements of the past three decades.
On Sunday, former President Hamid Karzai also rejected his membership in the HCNR and said he would continue his individual efforts for peace.
Political parties are talking about direct talks with the Taliban as intra-Afghan talks are set to begin in the coming days.
ENDS
