President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani has reiterated his call on Taliban to prepare for intra-Afghan peace dialogue, saying Afghans would not transfer the ownership of peace to strangers.
According to a statement from the Presidential Palace, the president renewed the call at a meeting with Ulema, elders and tribal people of southeastern Paktika province.
The elders and tribal people of Paktika shared some of the issues ranging from deforestation to insecurity on highways, and interference to ensuring transparency in elections, asking the president to address all these issues.
They also asked the president for the rehabilitation of highways, construction of dams, implementation of master plan for Urugon district, appointment of qualified persons on government posts, attention of government to Ulema and religious studies and promotion of Paktika from second grade to first grade province.
The president, while thanking Ulema for the fatwa in support of the defense of the country and peace, said: “Finally, as a result of this fatwa, the Ulema announced their unanimous decision regarding ceasefire which determined our national unity.”
Ghani termed Paktika, the land of unity, integrity and honor and told the elders: “I am proud of you because you have protected all our values.”
He called on the people of Paktika to encourage and send their sons and brothers to join the military.
“We want peace with Pakistan, and Islamabad should know that a peaceful Afghanistan is in its interest,” he said.
The president hailed the participation of people in elections, assuring that both commissions were committed to ensuring transparency and protecting the vote.
In a separate statement, the Presidential Palace said the president also inaugurated the new provincial government compound in the province during his trip.
The statement added the new provincial government compound was inaugurated in the presence of local military and civilian officials.
According the statement, the new, two-storey government compound was built with a total cost of 13 million Afghanis.
