KABUL (SW): President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani disclosed on Thursday next round of peace talks with the Taliban would be chaired by the deputy foreign minister and would soon be held in Islamabad.
The President said this while addressing a press briefing at the Arg (Presidential Palace). He said Deputy Minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai would chair the round of peace talks in Islamabad that would also feature representatives of the U.S, China and Pakistan.
Briefing the press about the latest visit to Kabul by Pakistan’s Army Chief Gen. Raheel Sharif last week, Ghani said they (Pakistani delegation) talk about fundamental aspects of peace.
He referred to the statement issued by Pakistan in this regard in which it was noted that it has been agreed to work in quadrilateral framework towards a meaningful peace process with clear demarcation of responsibility of each stakeholder.
The President stressed that the militants would have to choose one way, either peace or confrontation. He added that all four countries (Afghanistan, the U.S, China and Pakistan) have agreed upon the use of legitimate force if necessary in this regard.
Commenting over the one-year performance of the government, Ghani said that the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) have bravely defended the sovereignty of the country. He also vowed to bring fundamental reforms in the judiciary.
The President vowed to hold parliamentary and provincial district council elections next year in a suitable time. Ghani criticized the Wolesi Jirga (lower house) and Masharano Jirga (upper house) for merely rejecting Presidential Decrees and not proposing alternative solutions to the issues on hand.
President Ghani highlighted the achievements in the economic sector. He said next year the country would be connected to Turkmenistan via railway track and gas pipeline that would usher a new era of prosperity.
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