KABUL (SW) – Mohammad Akram Khpalwak, secretary of the High Peace Council (HPC) told the Wolesi Jirga (lower house) on Wednesday peace talks are likely to commence next week.
The house summoned HPC and top officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to brief the members over prospects and progress in connection with the peace process. Khpalwak said more than 20 terrorist groups are active in Afghanistan. He said the government can easily handle other groups if the Taliban make peace with the government.
He added following the ceasefire, contacts with the Taliban on all levels have been made with the support of the Jehadi, religious and political leadership nationwide to encourage the rebels to join the Afghan-led peace process.
The HPC secretary said an international conference of the religious scholars would he held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia next week on peace in Afghanistan. He added following this conference, another one would held between the Afghan and Pakistani Ulema next month.
Khpalwak rejected handing over territory to the Taliban.
In the meantime, Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi, speaker of the house, expressed support for the government’s peace initiative. He said the house would also share a strategy for peace with the government soon.
Absence of HPC chief, Karim Khalili, sparked anger among members.
ENDS
