Daily Times

Hizb-e-Islami Afghanistan’s chief Gulbuddin Hekmatyar says there should be no direct or indirect role of any country in the intra-Afghan dialogue, and only Afghans should hold direct negotiations to decide the future political setup.

The talks involving Afghan parties to the conflict are considered central to the US-Taliban agreement reached in Qatar last month as Afghan leaders would decide the future political roadmap of Afghanistan.

The formal intra-Afghan negotiations, scheduled for March 10, could not take place as the Afghan government have yet to start releasing the Taliban prisoners.

A total of 5000 Taliban detainees were to be freed by March 10 while Taliban would also free 1000 prisoners of the other side, according to the US-Taliban agreement for peace in Afghanistan.

“Our stance is that the intra-Afghan dialogue should be direct and face-to-face among Afghans. There should be no mediation and intervention of others. There should be no observer even and the process should be completely intra-Afghan process,” Hekmatyar has told Daily Times at his Kabul’s headquarters.

“Only Taliban, the government and the political parties should take part in the negotiations. But those in power will not be easily ready for it. They are afraid that the government will be changed in the wake of peace,” he said, adding the government will be replaced by such an inclusive administration which is acceptable to all sides.

“So the government is doing whatever it can do to create obstacles for the peace process” according to Hizb chief, who had signed a peace agreement with President Ashraf Ghani in September 2016.

He also pointed out that a political consensus on the peace process has not yet been evolved. He suggested formation of an authority that should form a delegation for negotiations with the Taliban, chalk out a strategy and make a final decision about the peace process.

“Arg (Presidential Palace) has been trying to block formation of such an authority as with this the administration will lose control over the peace process. They want such a delegation that servers their interests. So political parties are demanding a consensus and it should not be held hostage by a particular person, side, group, gov’t and Palace,” Hekmatyar insisted.

“It is a national issue and all parties should take a collective decision,” he said.

The Hizb chief agreed that Afghanistan may face a complex situation in view of the Taliban calls for enforcement of the Islamic system and reforms in the current system, when a vast majority do not want reverse of whatever has been achieved in 19 years. “Yes it is a complicated issue but there are solutions. All genuine demands of the Taliban should be accepted. They should be part of the future system. They should be partner in the government,” he said.

“All of Taliban fighters should be merged with the security forces. Their reservations about the constitution should be studied, and their demands addressed,” he said.

He said Hizb-e-Islami and the people also want amendments in what he called the “flawed constitution” but said that “nothing should become a hurdle in the way of peace. Any condition that affects the peace process and continue war is irrational.”

“We want the peace process should move forward. Now an agreement for withdrawal of foreign forces has been signed, I think remaining issues are not very difficult and could be resolved. Afghans could reach a consensus,” Hekmatyar said.

To a question about the political confrontation, he said Hizb-e-Islami opposes establishment of a parallel government but stressed that Ghani government’s should be replaced by such a government which is acceptable to all.

“We (Hizb) do not support the idea of a parallel gov’t. We do not support three governors for a province. The Talib’s governor, Ashraf Ghani’s governor and a third governor,” he said while referring to the appointment of several governors in northern parts by Dr Abdullah Abdullah, who has also declared himself as Afghan president.