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KABUL: The Hezb-i-Islami Afghanistan (HIA) has agreed to embrace the country’s constitution and dismantle its armed wing under its peace agreement with the government.
In return, the Ashraf Ghani administration has promised the release of HIA prisoners and lifting all restrictions on the group, reads the draft agreement, a copy of whichhas been obtained by Pajhwok Afghan News.
Release of prisoners by both sides, the appointment of HIA supporters to government jobs in line with the law and inclusion of its leadership in the decision-making process on key political issues are among major points of the deal.
The two sides have also agreed on making HIA part of the electoral reform process and repatriation of Afghan refugees from the Nasrat Mena camp and other parts of Pakistan. They pledged unconditional adherence to the principles of Islam.
Under the draft agreement, protection of national interest and enforcement the rule of law will be a joint responsibility of the two parties, which agreed the Afghans could ward off any threat though unity.
On the withdrawal of foreign forces, the draft agreement says both sides held their own views. “Although they held out pledges for the implementation of mutually agreed documents, the HIA wanted a timetable for the withdrawal of foreign forces.”
Based on the agreement, the government assured that soon after the signing of the agreement, it would ask United Nation Security Council (UNSC) to lift restrictionson the HIA as soon as possible.
The government recognised the HIA right to a political struggle and would pave the way for the group’s participation in the election reform process.
Article 9 of the agreement says: “Jihadi leader Gulbadin Hikmatyar, through a special presidential decree, would be given an extraordinary honour and privilege for his effort for peace and stability in the country.”
It added the HIA leader could choose two or three areas for his resettlement in the country and the government would provide all expenses of his living in addition to ensuring his security.
The government assured HIA it would make all possible efforts for the return of Afghan refugees retune from Pakistan and Iran. -Pajhwok
THE PASHTUN TIMES
