Peace deal with Gulbuddin Hekmatyar’s party not against national interest: Abdullah

KABUL: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Abdullah Abdullah on Monday said he was closely monitoring peace negotiations with the Gulbadin Hikmatyar-led Hezb-i-IslamiAfghanistan (HIA).

There was no problem in concluding the peace agreement the HIA, the CEO told a cabinet meeting. The Afghans badly needed peace and there was no obstacle to the process, he observed.

“We recently heard comments that we do not want peace, but we assure people that we have always supported reconciliation process with HIA. We have been involved in making the talks fruitful,” Abdullah said.

Abdullah, who pledged stoutly defending people’s rights, insisted the long-elusive peace pact would not damage the national interest. However, he acknowledged the accord would not resolve all problems but its signing would be a significant step.

“We also assure the HIA that there would be no opposition and sensitivity to the peace accord and we have forgotten all acrimony of the past. We hope all of us will view this agreement as a step to lasting peace in the country,” he concluded.

THE PASHTUN TIMES