KABUL - The much awaited peace agreement between Afghan government and the Hekmatyar-led Islamic party the Hizb-e-Islami was inked here on Thursday to boost peace process and national reconciliation in the insurgency-ridden country.
The agreement was signed by Mohammad Amin Karim, head of Hizb-e-Islami delegation and Pir Sayed Ahmad Gilani, chief of the government-backed peace body the High Peace Council, at a ceremony attended by ranking officials and supporters of Hizb-e-Islami in Kabul.
The deal is "the first step towards achieving durable peace and security across the country," Amin Karim said after signing the agreement.
Expressing his support to intra-Afghan dialogue, Amin Karim also called on other armed groups fighting against the Afghan government to join the peace process and solve their problems through negotiation and peaceful means.
However, Amin Karim noted that the Hizb-e-Islami would continue its struggle until the expulsion of all foreign forces from Afghanistan.
Speaking on the occasion, Afghan Presidential Advisor on National Security Mohammad Hanif Atmar called for the early implementation of the peace agreement.
He said the peace deal with Hizb-e-Islami is based on the country's constitution and the Hizb-e-Islami has committed to working for peace, stability and reconstruction of the war-ravaged country.
This is the first peace agreement inked by Afghan government with an armed opposition group since the overthrowing of Taliban regime in late 2001.
The agreement would come into effect after putting signature by President Ashraf Ghani and leader of his own faction Hizb-e-Islami party Gulbudin Hekmatyar. They are expected to ink the agreement within days. (Xinha)