Afghanistan Times
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AT Monitoring Desk-KABUL: As Afghans are counting down for the beginning of the much-awaited peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban militants, officials in the High Peace Council (HPC) suggest that Kabul should review structure of the council in order to lead the process towards success.
HPC member, Mohammad Amin Wiqad, said that the executive board of the HPC is still working according to its then formation.
Radio Azadi quote Wiqad on Saturday as saying that vital steps in peace talks will be made when the government implements its promises about bringing reform in the HPC formation.
“As far as peace is need of the hour for Afghanistan, the president and the CEO should implement their pledges in this regard and bring reforms in HPC formation as it works based on its then structure. The president will have several meetings with the HPC members this week. I hope he take steps in amending formation of the council,” he added.
He hoped that the regional counties, the international community and the militants cooperate the Afghan government in better implementation of peace negotiations.
Reports said recently that peace talks will kick off in Dubai this week but sources in the government have said that Islamabad has committed to bring the Taliban to the table of negotiations within two weeks. However there is no guarantee in this regard, the sources said.
A number of critics believe that the status of the peace process is dependent on preparing a proper and balanced mechanism.
Radio Azadi quoted Rohullah Amin, chairman of US Strategic Studies Center, as saying that a review in HPC structure and its peace mechanism is required.
Terming the peace process as symbolic, traditional and unprofessional, he suggested that the HPC should select a specific path towards the peace talks. Holding backdoor meetings with a number of unknown figures is not sufficient for development of the peace process; other sides of the issue should be considered seriously, he added.
In the meantime, a number of members of Wolesi Jiga, civil society organizations and common masses have said that the government should continue the peace process while considering the national interests and safeguarding the past 13 years’ achievements. They also said that the government should bring seismic changes in HPC structure, and as well as it should inform public about improvements in the peace process
