Intra-Afghan negotiations: Ceasefire, flexibility urged

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Participants of a gathering in this capital city of eastern Nangarhar province on Sunday urged both the government and the Taliban to offer sufficient flexibility for the success of their talks in Qatar.

The gathering, organized by Afghanistan Jamiat-i-Islah organization here, asked the warring sides to agree to ceasefire first to make the negotiations a success story.

The participants welcomed the launch of intra-Afghan talks in Doha and said the development had raised hopes for peace in the war-torn country.

Head of the Jamiat-i-Islah for eastern zone, Mohammad Osman Ikhlas, said the aim of their gathering was to welcome the start of the peace talks and share people’s demands and concerns with the negotiating sides.

He said besides the Jamiat-i-Islah supporters, a number of civil society activists and members of political parties took part in the gathering and all wanted peace and success of the talks.

Hezb-i-Islami Afghanistan Nangarhar chapter head Mualvi Fazal Rahim said it was crucial to declare ceasefire first by both sides in order to make the talks a success. He also urged the negotiating sides to offer maximum flexibility in their respective stance.

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