A number of Afghan politicians, including former President Hamid Karzai and Chief Executive Officer of the National Unity Government Abdullah Abdullah, are working on a peace plan with Taliban.
The group of the prominent political figures held their first meeting in Kabul to draw a road map for political settlement of the now 18-years-long war.
Speaking at the gathering, CEO Abdullah said no one should obstruct the ongoing efforts for peace in Afghanistan for their personal interests, stressing that the peace process should be inclusive and all the sides must have their representatives in the negotiating table.
“It is also very important that no one should obstruct a national process for personal issues,” Abdullah said.
Former president Hamid Karzai said that it was decided during the meeting that the views on peace should be consolidated.
A peace plan is expected to be prepared within one week.
Abdullah and Karzai have previously criticized President Ashraf Ghani’s peace plan for setting ceasefire as a precondition for talks with the Taliban. The group said that it was ready to reduce violence, but the ceasefire can be only discussed in the intra-Afghan talks once agreement is signed with the US over troops’ withdrawal.
President Ghani recently responded to the criticism, saying Abdullah and Karzai have no plans for Afghanistan’s future.
Karim Khalili, chairman of High Peace Council, said that ceasefire could be discussed as intra-Afghan talks begin.
Former vice president, Yonus Qanooni, said that all the Afghan people should see themselves involved in the peace plan being prepared.
Mohammad Mohaqqiq, second deputy to Chief Executive, said that current government cannot represent the public in the peace talks.
This comes as discussions between Khalilzad-led US delegation and Taliban representatives in Doha are going on.
