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Hekmatyar claims political parties already in talks with Taliban
Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, the leader of Hizb-e-Islami, says that Afghan political parties have already started negotiations with the Taliban, and that initial agreements have been made.
In an interview with Ariana News, Hekmatyar stated that government’s negotiating team is not “comprehensive” and government is consulting with Afghan political parties on issues around the process.
He said that there is no consensus between government and the political parties on the Afghan peace process.
“Government does not have a political consensus, they have not reached an agreement with the leading political parties; therefore, it made the parties start direct talks with the Taliban and the Taliban is also ready to sit with the parties around the negotiating table,” Hekmatyar said.
“An initial agreement has been reached even on the location of the negotiations. The Taliban also knows that the system is not honest and they are wasting time,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hekmatyar believes that government is following a hostile policy, and urged government to change its approach to the Taliban.
The Hizb-e-Islami leader said: “I think reaching peace with the current system is impossible. If anyone wants the system and the security forces to be sustainable, and not to face Dr. Najibullah’s fate: they must enter into peace negotiations honestly.”
Najibullah was the president of Afghanistan from 1987 until his resignation in April 1992, shortly after which the mujahideen took over Kabul. After a failed attempt to flee to India, Najibullah remained in Kabul living in the United Nations headquarters until his death at the hands of the Taliban after their capture of the city.
Hekmatyar also stated that government “should not look for an alternative ally to pursue the Afghan war.”
In addition, Hekmatyar claimed that the Afghan government has no authority to make the decision in terms of the peace process, saying that the “US is a decision-maker in the process.”
The Afghan government has not yet commented on Hekmatyar’s remarks.
Opposition grows over Ghani’s decree
Hekmatyar’s statement is another hurdle in the way of intra-Afghan negotiations after a number of prominent figures baulked at President Ashraf Ghani’s decree Sunday appointing more than 40 members of the High Council for National Reconciliation.
First to reject his appointment was former president Hamid Karzai, who was then followed by former foreign minister Salahuddin Rabbani and Hekmatyar.
Abdullah Abdullah, the Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation meanwhile issued a statement Monday opposing Ghani’s decree.
He said the president does not have the authority to appoint people to the body tasked with leading peace talks with the Taliban.
Abdullah said in the statement that “consultations about the formation of the council continue with political and civil society leaders and it will conclude soon.”
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UN reaffirms commitment to supporting Afghan people
The UN envoy acknowledged that Afghanistan continues to face significant challenges but said the talents, aspirations and potential of its people are even greater.
Rabab Fatima, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, has reaffirmed the United Nations’ commitment to supporting the Afghan people, praising their resilience and determination despite decades of conflict and hardship.
In a statement marking the 81st anniversary of the United Nations on October 24, Fatima said Afghanistan had been part of the organization’s history since joining the UN in 1946.
She noted that for nearly eight decades, the United Nations and its partners had supported Afghans through conflict, natural disasters, displacement, drought and humanitarian emergencies.
Fatima also praised Afghan women and men, young people, community leaders, teachers, healthcare workers and humanitarian staff for continuing to serve their communities despite challenging circumstances.
“As I begin my responsibilities in Afghanistan, I do so with deep respect for the Afghan people, and your culture and rich heritage,” she said, pledging to listen, engage and work alongside Afghans.
The UN envoy acknowledged that Afghanistan continues to face significant challenges but said the talents, aspirations and potential of its people are even greater.
She reaffirmed that the United Nations would continue supporting the Afghan people and advocating for their dignity, opportunities and well-being.
“The future of Afghanistan belongs to its people, and the United Nations will remain a committed partner as Afghans shape that future,” Fatima said.
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UN praises resilience of Afghans, raises concerns over restrictions on women and girls
The UN’s renewed commitment comes as millions of people across Afghanistan continue to depend on humanitarian assistance.
The United Nations has praised the resilience of the Afghan people in the face of decades of conflict, poverty, displacement and climate change, while expressing concern over restrictions imposed on women and girls.
In a statement issued Saturday to mark the 81st anniversary of the UN’s founding, the organization said Afghans continue to face widespread humanitarian and economic challenges, while people returning to the country are also confronting numerous difficulties.
The UN said it remains committed to supporting Afghanistan through humanitarian assistance, healthcare, education, human rights protection, economic opportunities and disaster preparedness.
The statement emphasized that Afghanistan’s future belongs to its people and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to helping Afghans address ongoing humanitarian and economic challenges.
United Nations Day is observed annually on October 24, marking the entry into force of the UN Charter in 1945.
The UN’s renewed commitment comes as millions of people across Afghanistan continue to depend on humanitarian assistance.
Meanwhile, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has previously said that human rights are now better protected than ever in the country under Islamic Sharia.
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IEA rejects Pakistan’s allegations linking Afghanistan to insecurity
Hamdullah Fitrat, Deputy Spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, has strongly rejected the repeated allegations by Pakistani officials that Afghanistan is involved in insecurity in Pakistan, saying that creating or supporting insecurity in Pakistan is not in Afghanistan’s interests.
In a statement published on his account, Fitrat said that whenever Pakistani officials are unable to ensure security in their own country, they blame Afghanistan for incidents in an attempt to mislead public opinion.
According to Fitrat, Afghanistan neither has the necessary means to create insecurity in other countries nor would it benefit from such actions, as insecurity in Pakistan also harms Afghanistan economically, socially and in humanitarian terms.
The deputy spokesperson added that instead of focusing on their own security responsibilities, Pakistani officials wrongly blame Afghanistan and spend resources on plans aimed at destabilizing the country.
Fitrat described this approach as a way of evading core responsibilities, destabilizing the region and wasting economic resources. He further said that this misguided stance has distracted Pakistan’s security forces from their primary duties.
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