KABUL - President Ashraf Ghani on Thursday said the peace agreement with the Hezb-i-Islami Afghanistan (HIA) was not against anyone but was in the national interest and hoped Hekmatyar would return to Kabul soon.
The president was speaking to the HIA peace negotiations delegation and a number of members of the group at the Presidential Palace, a statement from the palace said.
The government and the HIA signed the landmark peace agreement in Kabul, with the US, EU and other countries welcoming the accord.
The meeting at the Presidential Palace was also attended by second CEO Mohammad Khan.
HIA chief negotiator Eng. Mohammad Amin Karim said today the people of Afghanistan and the world witnessed the peace agreement signing which opened the door for hope of reaching peace with other insurgent groups.
Karim said they were ready for every kind of sacrifice in support of the system, the country’s defence and service to the people.
He said the peace agreement’s implementation would pave the ground for an early arrival of Hekmatyar to Kabul.
HIA political affairs head Dr. Ghairat Baheer congratulated the people of Afghanistan over the successful talks between the government and the HIA. He hoped the agreement would be enforced soon.
President Ghani thanked God for making a success the intra-Afghan dialogue after years of efforts.
He also praised efforts of High Peace Council Chief Pir Syed Ahmad Gilani and the HIA peace delegation and all those who contributed to the process.
The president said the peace agreement with HIA was not against anyone or aimed at weakening someone, but it was taken forward in the larger national interest. He said the important aspect of the deal was sending a clear message of peace to insurgents.
“As a president, it is responsibility to take practical steps for establishing a dignified and lawful peace,” the president said, and hoped Gulbadin Hekmatyar would soon arrive in Kabul.
The president also said he would discuss next week elections to Wolesi Jirga and district councils and said the agreement with HIA would have a positive impact on security and future elections. (Pajhwok)