AT-KABUL: As the spectre of ceding the Taliban autonomous regions in the south as part of a ploy to reconcile the unruly faction is gaining traction, the Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah has delivered a scathing critique over likely so-called safe zones, which he argued would unleash irreversible consequences as insurgent groups will “smuggle drugs” and “commit crimes against humanity”.
At a cabinet meeting on Monday, Abdullah said they have been receiving propositions with regards to providing certain regions to the Taliban as “safe zones”, which the government and people of Afghanistan have rejected.
“There is no logic in furnishing safe zonesto Taliban who plan ferocity and aggression against the Afghan people. Afghanistan is a safe home for those who want to live in peace,” he said.
Referring to the government’s truce with the Taliban, Abdullah said the three-day ceasefire was welcomed by the Afghanistan people, but “it has followed some issues we should learn from and avoid repeating in the future”.
In upcoming days,Abdullah said, he would attend the NATO summit in Brussels, where the organization is expected to continue its support to Afghan air and defense forces.