Abdullah Abdullah, head of the High Council for National Reconciliation, on Friday said that a return of the Taliban’s emirate is unacceptable to Afghans under any circumstances as it will continue the war in Afghanistan.
Abdullah made the remarks at a ceremony on the second anniversary of former Kandahar police chief Gen. Abdul Raziq’s death where other dignitaries and politicians including First Vice President Amrullah Saleh, National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib and Jamiat-e-Islami chief Salahuddin Rabbani also attended.
Abdullah stressed the need for unity among Afghans and said violence will not lead the country to peace.
“If there is a thought to reimpose the Taliban emirate on the people after the withdrawal of the international forces, it will not be acceptable for the people of Afghanistan under any circumstances,” Abdullah said.
Condemning recent increase in violence, Abdullah said that peace will not be achieved by increasing violence and targeting ordinary people, religious scholars, political figures and journalists to reduce people’s morale.
He said that other countries are supporting the Afghan government efforts for peace and that they have already announced their stance on ceasefire in Afghanistan.
He said that it will be a wrong calculation if the Taliban thinks that they will have a better position by keeping pressure on a district or a province. This, Abdullah said, has prevented the people from achieving peace over the last years.
“No side should think that they will achieve their goals by killing and bloodshed,” he said, adding that there is a need to continue the peace process with confidence and patience.
He also stressed that the people’s dignity, identity and pride will not be undermined when it comes to peace in the country.
Abdullah said that Afghans will defend the country’s dignity and sovereignty if “ultimately the Taliban accepts no logic way for peace.”
Violence was expected to reduce with the start of peace negotiations in Doha a month ago, but it has increased unexpectedly over the last few weeks. The Taliban attacked many parts of Helmand a week ago, leaving thousands of families displaced.
