PUL-E-KHUMRI (SW) – Participants of the Helmand peace convoy are set to meet the Taliban rebels in Baghlan province in a bid to convince them to shun violence.
The peace marchers spent two days in the province during which they held extensive talks with the local elders, civil society activists and the youth. And, now they plan to visit the Dand-e-Ghori area of the province which is under the influence of the Taliban.
Iqbal Khyber, a peace activist of the Helmand peace convoy, told Salam Watandar the Taliban would be encouraged to shun violence, lay down arms and join the peace process. Mohammad Nezkad, another member of the convoy, said neighboring countries are fueling violence in Afghanistan, and the Afghans must unite to bring peace in the country.
A local elderly woman, Bibi Gul, who also met the peace marchers, said she has lost a number of close relatives to the ragging violence. She also urged the Taliban to accept the peace offer of the Helmand peace convoy, and shun violence.
The peace convoy is set to move further north to Kunduz and eventually Balkh province.
ENDS
