KABUL - Senior officials and dozens of residents of Parwan province have stressed the need for intra-Afghan talks and said achievements over the past few years should not be ignored in the process.
Attending a gathering in Charikar city, the provincial capital, officials and residents said they support the ongoing peace efforts but called on the Taliban to enter dialogue with government.
Parwan residents called on government and its international allies to speed up the peace efforts.
Parwan Governor Fazluddin Ayar said at the gathering that achievements made over the past 18 years should not be compromised in the name of peace.
“We cannot bow to demands of agents of those countries who have a history of not more than 50 years while Afghanistan has a long history,” the governor said.
“Those who are trying to represent Afghanistan in [peace] meetings should consult the people first, especially the people of the northern plains and ask them whether they are ready to agree on peace with the enemies of this country,” said Aminullah Shakoori, deputy head of Parwan Provincial Council.
Parwan activists and residents said members of the public should have a bigger role in the peace process as their role is critical.
“Parwan should be part of the peace process and their representatives should play a key role in this process,” said Shafi Mushfiq, an activist in Parwan.
“All layers of society should have a role in the peace process. An inclusive peace process will attain good results,” said Jamshed Danishjo, an activist.
This comes after President Ashraf Ghani, who addressed a townhall meeting in Munich on Saturday, said the peace process needs to be citizen-centered not elite-centered.
“Peace needs to be citizen-centered, not elite-centered and because of it the forthcoming election in July is a must,” he said.