Govt Not Aware Of Peace Talks Agenda: Ismail Khan

tolonews.com

Ismail Khan said foreign countries are “controlling” the peace talks and that government
is not aware of the process. Mohammad Ismail Khan, a former Jihadi leader and
member of the leadership of Jamiat-e-Islami Party of Afghanistan, on Friday said the
National Unity Government is not aware of the peace talks’ agenda – as the peace
efforts are ongoing by the international community, US on the top, and the Afghan
government. He warned that the efforts for holding talks with the Taliban, including the
next meeting in Jeddah, will have no results unless the Afghans and regional countries
enter the process. “ The peace agenda should become clear for the people of
Afghanistan or at least government should be aware of the peace process,” Khan told
TOLOnews. “So far, neither the Afghan government, nor the Afghan people have
enough information in this regard.” He said that Jamiat-e-Islami party is forming a team
to negotiate with the Taliban but he did not give more details about the team. “Jamiat
has considered a list of figures but has not introduced them officially. Let’s the peace
process get completed and the talks get started officially in the form that the Taliban
show readiness for negotiations, then we will introduce the team,” he said. Meanwhile,
Gulbuddin Hekmatyar’s Hizb-e-Islami said they are trying to hold negotiations with the
Taliban. “ The Islamic movement of the Taliban accepts participation in a joint
government and we see it an important progress. They are discussing ceasefire and an
interim government,” said Humayun Jarir, Hizb-e-Islami member. While the Afghan
government has said they will send a 12-member team to Jeddah for talks with Taliban,
but some former Taliban members said representatives of the group will not meet the
Afghan government delegation in Jeddah. “ Discussion has not been held on the
withdrawal of foreign forces (from Afghanistan) while Taliban has reiterated on this
issue,” said Sayed Akbar Agha, a former member of the Taliban.