Paktia residents call for truce

GARDEZ (SW) – Hundreds of Paktia residents, religious scholars and civil society activists on Wednesday urged the warring sides in the country to ceasefire.

Addressing the moot, religious scholars said civilians have been boring the brunt of the deadly conflict in the past 40 years. They stressed the ongoing talks for peace are meaningless unless there is an end to fighting. Qari Khwajauddin and Mawlawi Mohammad Shah Fazli, two such religious scholars, said on the occasion the ongoing conflict can only be resolved via dialogue.

They also raised grim concerns over mounting civilian casualties in night raids and joint operations by the security forces. They urged the security forces to avoid civilian casualties.

Similar gatherings have been organized in other parts of the country as well. This comes as talks between the government representatives and the Taliban are set to soon take place in Qatar.

This comes as deadly fighting continues between the security forces and the Taliban.

ENDS