Laghman women ask warring sides to declare truce

MEHTARLAM (Pajhwok): Dozens of women from various districts and the capital of eastern Laghman province at a gathering on Tuesday called on the warring parties to declare truce.

Participants of the gathering at the governor’s house here said that the continuation of war only increased the population of widows, orphans, disabled and martyred youth.

Nasima Shafiq Sadat, the provincial women affairs director, asked the Taliban to declare a truce and stop widowing their own sisters and mothers.

She said women were the main victims of war and hoped a permanent ceasefire and peace would come to the country.

All the participants asked the conflict sides to declare ceasefire and accelerate peace efforts for ending the decades-long war.

Torpekai, one of the participants, asked the Taliban to show mercy on the Afghan people and stop destroying their own country at the behest of others.

Razia, another participant of the gathering, voiced on the Afghan government’s negotiating team and Taliban representatives in Qatar to value national interests over their personal interests and start intra-Afghan talks without a delay.

Deputy governor Shahzada Mazlumyar thanked participants of the meeting for their attendance and asked the warring sides to listen to the Afghan public and take advantage of the opportunity made available for peace.

The participants supported the republic system of government and called on Taliban not to follow directions of others and value their own country and people.

Mds/ma