GARDEZ (SW) – Hundreds of women in Paktia province took to the streets on Wednesday to push warring parties for peace in the country.
During this peaceful demonstration in the provincial capital, Gardez, the women called on the Taliban to end the ongoing violence in the country. They also called for a ceasefire to ensure a positive outcome to the proposed peace talks.
They said fighting is still raging in many cities and remote areas causing death and destruction.
Nahida Hakimi, a member of the youth parliament, said on the occasion that a temporary ceasefire should be declared for peace, so that peace talks can begin and yield good outcome. "We call on both sides to come and attend the peace talks, and do not be fooled by foreigners”, she said.
Two other participants of the rally, Naz Dana and Kainat said they have lost a number of immediate family members in the ongoing war. They called on the Taliban to ceasefire just as they have inked a ceasefire agreement with the US.
According to them, the war threatens Afghanistan's national interests and has caused destruction all over.
This call for peace by the Paktia women came at a time when the Afghan government claimed to have removed all obstacles hindering start of the intra-Afghan talks.
ENDS
