As US-Taliban talks continue behind closed doors in Qatar, former President Hamid Karzai on Thursday expressed his hope that the group will “ultimately” endorse direct negotiations with the Afghan government.
The Taliban has persistently refused to talk with the Afghan government despite repeated calls from the government leaders.
The current environment is a good opportunity for peace and the Taliban should take the advantage of it, said Karzai, who met the Taliban members in Moscow last month alongside a delegation of Afghan politicians.
Addressing a ceremony on 24th death anniversary of Hizb-e-Wahdat-e-Islami’s founding leader Abdul Ali Mazari in Kabul on Thursday, Karzai said the peace process with the Taliban should be inclusive.
“The talks should be inclusive,” Karzai said. “Afghans from all walks of life with any type of thinking and affiliation should be present there. This will help us to reach to a lasting peace which is the main aspiration of our people.”
“Dear brothers and sisters, you noticed that there was no dispute between us and our Taliban brothers after we sat with them (in Moscow late in February),” Karzai reiterated.
Karzai also reiterated the need to maintain the progress Afghanistan has made in the past almost two decades.
“Our compatriots, specially our sisters, can be assured that the gains we have made in the last 18 years will be secured in Afghan-owned peace talks and this will lead us towards sustainable peace. This is something already guaranteed and cannot be changed. We’ve come out of darkness. We are going toward a bright future.”
Some other politicians, meanwhile, said it will be better to seal a peace deal before moving to the presidential elections.
“We believe that a sustainable peace prevails when peace is secured within the system of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan,” said presidential hopeful Mohammad Haneef Atmar.
