PESHAWAR - The Gulbadin Hekmatyar-led Hezb-i-Islami Afghanistan (HIA) has pledged staying neutral in the war between the Afghan government and the Taliban.
Dr. Ghairat Baheer, head of HIA’s political affairs committee, was quoted as saying on Tuesday his party would not side with anyone in the ongoing conflict.
He told The Express Tribune that the HIA, which struck a peace deal with the Ashraf Ghani administration in September, would take part in the next parliamentary elections.
Islamabad did not oppose peace parleys between Kabul and HIA, he said, adding: “Pakistan had supported the negotiations which led to the signing of the peace deal in September.”
“It’s a fact that no one from Pakistan has ever dissuaded us from peace negotiations with Kabul. Conversely, Islamabad fully supported the peace process,” he reiterated.
He stressed an end to testy exchanges between Afghan and Pakistani leaders. “If there is war or instability in Afghanistan, it will naturally affect Pakistan. Therefore, the two governments should pursue a policy that can bring their peoples closer.”
Baheer asked the Afghan government and Taliban not to set preconditions for dialogue. Both sides should put their conditions on the table, he remarked. (Pajhwok)