KABUL - President Ashraf Ghani says peace requires a crucial role played by Afghans as he addressed Badghis residents.
Amid growing efforts for peace in the country, President Ashraf Ghani said in Badghis province on Friday that he assures the nation that peace will come to Afghanistan.
Ghani who addressed a gathering in Badghis province called on the people to play a positive role in peace.
He called for a national forum for peace in the country.
This is the first visit of Ghani as president of Afghanistan to Badghis, a less developed province in the northwest of the country next to Turkmenistan.
The president said a ground has been provided for peace which is unique in the past 40 years and that right now, people have realized the importance of peace in a three-day ceasefire.
“For the first time in 40 years, we realized the importance of peace during the ceasefire (between government and Taliban). You saw that Afghans accepted each other. The ceasefire was an experience, it also contained risks, but it proved that this great nation is a great nation under Allah's will,” Ghani said.
Ghani’s remarks come as Alice Wells, the US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, met with Taliban officials in Qatar this week to discuss ways to lay the groundwork for peace talks.
The Wall Street Journal said in a report that the aim of the discussion was to build on momentum created by the recent three-day ceasefire over Eid al-Fitr.
The Taliban’s political office declined to comment, according to the Wall Street Journal report, which also stated that Wells did not respond to an emailed request for comment.
Hours before President Ghani’s visit to Badghis, a suicide bombing claimed four lives and wounded few others near civilian houses in the west of Kabul.
Addressing the gathering in Badghis, Ghani said nothing can be achieved by bombings and suicide attacks. The president said reform will be brought to security agencies.
“Promotions to brigadier general and major general and other higher ranks are done based on merit. All Afghans are included in this. After this, no one has to remain in one position for 12 years while another promotes quickly due to relationships,” said Ghani.
The presidential elections will be held on its scheduled time, Ghani said, adding that no one should have any doubt in this regard.

At least 7,000 families in Qala-e-Naw city, the provincial capital, will benefit from this power, while another 10,000 families in Qades, Muqur and Ab Kamari districts will get the electricity in the near future. (Tolo news)