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An interim government is already an option on the table between the U.S. and the Taliban: Political pundits say
AT News
KABUL: The Afghan experts, reacting to a recent survey conducted by the Institute of War and Peace Studies (IWPS) said that interim government now a possible solution, and feasible in the current situation to reach a durable peace acceptable to all.
52 percent of the respondents wanted an interim government or an early election for the sake of peace. The survey findings revealed on Friday showed that almost all the interviewed inhabitants expressed optimism over the success of the peace process.
According to IWPS, out of over 8,600 respondents, 52 percent of them agreed to running an early election or to establish an interim government to reach peace. 75 percent of the respondents want a ceasefire on top agenda and 52 others optimistic about the current peace talks.
Shahzada Masoud, ex-advisor to former President Hamid Karzai, said, “Majority of the people favor an interim government if it helps to reach a lasting and dignified peace – a peace acceptable to all.”
“Ceasefire is the demand of all the Afghan masses, and it should be topped on the agenda as priority,” he said.
The role and percentage of the former President Hamid Karzai in the peace process would have been very much high if the survey have had been conducted in village and district levels, Mr. Masoud said, referring to the survey findings toward the positive role of President Ashraf Ghani, Former President, Hamid Karzai and Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah in the peace process.
Similarly, other experts strongly believe that an interim government is already an option on the table between the U.S. and the Taliban.
A political pundit, Ahmad Saeedi said that the U.S. and Taliban already made decisions over the formation of the interim government. “It will be established with or without Kabul’s concession.”
The survey also finds that 58.55 percent of the respondents have said that the government represents them in the peace process.
The survey reveals that 74.24 percent of the respondents think that the level of violence in the country has not been reduced since the start of the peace negotiations in Doha.
The survey shows that 25.5 percent of the respondents have voted for equal distribution of power, 25.2 percent voted for the protection of the republic system
According to the survey, 21 percent of the respondents believe that the government should not compromise on the achievements of the last two decades.
The survey reveals that 63.63 percent of the respondents opposed any major change in the structure of the Afghan National Security and Defense Forces (ANDSF) while 22.24 percent said they are in favor of bringing change in these forces.
