KABUL - The High Peace Council (HPC) on Tuesday said the final draft of the peace agreement between the unity government and the Gulbadin Hekmatyar-led Hezb-i-Islami Afghanistan (HIA) faction would be sent to government and the militant group’s leaders on Wednesday.
HPC deputy chairman Maulvi Attaur Rahman Salim told a press conference here that a total of 25 issues had been finalised in the peace deal during the nearly two-month stay of the HIA delegation in Kabul.
He said the agreement could be a good news for the Afghans and a big achievement for the government.
“I am hopeful that other armed opposition groups would be encouraged to shun violence and join the peace process,” he said, adding the text of the agreement was ready for signatures.
Three days ago, the HIA delegation head, Eng. Mohammad Amin Karim, told Pajhwok Afghan News their talks with the government had been finalised and the peace agreement might be signed by both parties within two months.
He had said they were concerned about some groups struggling to sabotage the peace talks.
Key components of the agreement are lifting sanctions on the HIA and removing names of HIA members from UN and US blacklists, the release of HIA prisoners and allowing the party to openly commence its political activities and resolving the issue of Afghan refugees.
Meanwhile, the US foreign secretary on Monday declared they supported the peace talks between the Afghan government and Gulbaddin Hekmatyar-led HIA party and would help in lifting sanctions on the party. (Pajhwok)