KABUL (SW): The Hezb-e-Islami (HI) party led by former Mujahideen leader Gulbudin Hekmatyar has criticized the government for not releasing inmates associated with the HI.
Hashmatullah Arshad, a spokesman of the party, said the government was supposed to release these prisoners today, but that did not happen. He said the government has promised in the peace deal to liberate these prisoners, some ‘circles’ are creating hurdles in this regard. Arshad warned further delay would harm the peace process.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Farzan, spokesman for the commission implementing the peace deal with the HI, said the government is committed to abide by its promises for peace. He said the process to release the HI men is underway, and each prisoners is released against bails provided by the HI and at least two elders in the community. Farzan noted at least 70 HI prisoners would be set free in the first stage.
The HI inked a landmark peace deal with the government last year. It vowed to shun violence and respect the Constitution, and in return the government vowed to set their political prisoners free, and allow the HI take part in the politics.
ENDS
