In the wake of Hekmatyar’s controversial Taliban proposition; Government firm on its peace offer: presidential palace

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AT-KABUL: Afghan government remains firm on its peace offer with the Taliban group as clarified in the recent Kabul process conference, said the president’s office on Tuesday, implicitly rejecting a recent proposition of Hezb-i-Islami leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar for ceding certain regions to the insurgent group.

“The government respects viewpoints of politicians, but our official stance has been made clear,” presidential spokesman Shah Hossain Mortazawi said.

Hezb-e-Islami leader, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar was recently quoted by The New York Times as saying that the government should hand over some provinces or areas to Taliban as efforts of peace program.

“Such sayings are personal viewpoints of political figures, but the government stated its position in the Kabul Process session,” Mortazawi said.

President Ashraf Ghani said in the Kabul Process’ second session that his administration would be ready to hold unconditional talks with the Taliban. He also said that the talks could be held anywhere either inside or outside Afghanistan.

But Hezb-e-Islami spokesman said that Hekmatyar did not suggested specific areas to be given to Taliban. “Our outline was delivered to the government ahead of the Kabul Process conference,” Hamid Azizi said.

Meanwhile, he said that handing the Taliban-held areas to the militants would not have legal problem if the group recognizes the constitution. “The government appoints provincial governors from other parties. This should be offer to Taliban too so that they accept Afghanistan’s political framework that is in fact their political partnership.”

Taliban are yet to declare official reaction to President Ghani’s offer, but in the past the group refused any Kabul’s peace suggestions.

Kabul University lecturer, Nasrollah Stanakzai said that giving areas to Taliban is against the constitution unless there is a legal deal with the group.