A number of Balkh residents on Saturday welcomed the planned signing of a US-Taliban peace deal, which was signed in Doha, Qatar.
TOLOnews reporter Arif Mosavi spoke with Sara Bahai, a female taxi driver, about the deal.
Although she is a professional teacher, Bahai also drives a taxi to help pay the bills.
She says her father disappeared and her younger brother died in the war.
“I am a teacher, the acting head of an association, and I receive a salary from two sources, teaching and taxi driving,” said Bahai.
Bahai is now supporting four members of her family. She is optimistic about signing a peace deal between the United States and the Taliban.
Bahai says she expects the Taliban to allow their wives and daughters to work and engage in social activities.
“When Taliban women come alongside us to work, to get involved in schools and to take jobs– then we know that it’s peace,” said Bahai.
Women’s rights activists in Balkh also see the signing of a US-Taliban peace deal as grounds for a lasting peace in the country.
“When the Taliban come to Afghanistan, with their plans and activities, it is important to have compatibility,” said Munira Ansari, an activist.
“Up until when will we have misery and war? May God grant the warlords a will for peace,” said Mohammad Ali, a resident of Balkh.
“Peace must come so poor people can get jobs,” said Sayed Haidar, another resident.
Balkh residents say the country’s politicians, as well as the Taliban, should take the opportunity provided by the peace process and take firm steps to establish a lasting peace in the country.
