KABUL - The first deputy CEO of Afghanistan Mohammad Mohaqiq in a chat with TOLOnews said the security situation will worsen and that the people should prepare for a drawn out war.

He said that Afghans must realize the fact that they face a highly dangerous enemy.

When asked about Pakistan's support and link to terrorists, he said it is not proper to name a certain country because of their link with terrorism.

"The people know who is funding and equipping terrorists," he added.

Mohaqiq said militarily the other country has the upper hand, Afghanistan is vulnerable to Pakistan.

In response to a query about former NDS chief Rahmatullah Nabil's resignation, he said there is something behind Nabil's resignation and that he (Nabil) mentioned it in his resignation letter.

He mentioned that it is clear that Taliban is divided (into two major groups). "Now let's see what happens in the future. This could also pose more threats to Afghans," he continued.

He said government is at war with Taliban, but Taliban have strong defense lines in remote regions and mountainous areas.

Mohaqiq mentioned that Taliban is being backed extensively in Helmand province because of its close proximity to the border.

On the issue of terrorists, he said: "We are extremely concerned about the existence of all terrorist groups in Afghanistan."

He stated that war is ongoing in eastern regions including Nangarhar and Badakhshan and that people are destroyed in these areas.

"Daesh will likely gain strength in the north rather than southern regions in spring," he predicted.

He also mentioned that a public uprising is the key element to supporting security forces during battles when needed.

"When we talk public uprising, this covers the entire population of Afghanistan," he stressed.

In response to a query about the Council of Ministers' decision to investigate government officials if they attended any demonstration in work hours in future, Mohaqiq said that security force members do not have the right to attend demonstrations.

His comments come after President Ashraf Ghani attended the Heart of Asia Conference last week and also participated at the inauguration ceremony of TAPI pipeline project which is one of the biggest economic projects for war-weary Afghanistan.

Ghani recently said that the peace talks – this time – will be resumed in weeks, not in years.

Afghan analysts have said they are hopeful about the TAPI project as well as the peace talks but both of them need serious measures which should be considered by the Afghan government. (Tolonews)