President Ashraf Ghani on Saturday said he sees the Taliban responsible for the ongoing violence in the country in which at least 200 to 600 people are killed every day.
Addressing a gathering in Khost province, Ghani asked the nation to stay united in support for independence, the republic and coexistence.
“The Taliban is responsible for the continuation of the war,” Ghani said. “Taliban should be asked whom they are fighting for? Who will benefit if Afghanistan is ruined and if Afghans are killed?”
He added that they should also be asked that are they fighting for Afghanistan, or they want the country to be controlled by others?
“If you love Afghanistan, promise me you have not accepted the Durand Line, promise me not to change Afghanistan from a roundabout to a one-way road, promise me you will not sell Afghanistan’s waters to others, promise me you will not serve others,” President Ghani said, pointing at the Taliban.
He added that no one has doubt in where the Taliban comes from and where it is living.
“We want peace with everyone…. If 200 to 400 to 600 Afghans are killed every day, who will benefit from this? … I will tell you about Arghandab. They destroyed three bridges that cost at least $15 million, they bombed 1,000 homes,” Ghani said.
He added that they are expected to sit with each other in future, then why shouldn’t this happen today.
“Nothing is built through disunity,” Ghani said. “If we started war, I am telling you they will be blamed for it,” Ghani said, referring to the Taliban.
“The Afghan government has made lots of efforts to move the peace process forward and wants peace, but the Taliban continued violence,” Ghani said. “They (Taliban) should attend talks and don’t ruin their country with the dictation of outsiders.”
He mentioned that the fighting has not been lost on the battlefields, but it has been due to rumors and propaganda, indirectly referring to the recent loss of territory by Afghan forces to the Taliban.
“I call on all Afghans to become united like the Khost residents and stand firm; otherwise, you will be responsible for six generations,” Ghani added.
Ghani said that he “withdrawn Americans from Afghanistan with dignity.” “Did I ask them (the US) any day to remain here? Didn’t I say seven years ago that they will leave? Didn’t I send letter to President Trump two years ago to leave?” he added.
Taliban has not shown reaction to these remarks so far.
