Afghanistan Times
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AT-KABUL: Wolesi Jirga Speaker Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi on Monday asked for the immediate implementation of the peace agreement signed between the National Unity Government and the Hezb-e-Islmai Afghanistan (HIA), led by Gulbuddin Hekmatyar.
He termed the agreement vital for bringing peace and stability.
Recently, President Ashraf Ghani signed a long-awaited peace agreement with Hekmatyar, which had begun two years ago.
“Ending war, rescuing Afghans from dependency on strangers and standing on own feet, was the will of the government and Hezb-e-Islami,” Ghani had said while signing the deal. “Peace has its own cost and is not achieved easily, and I am ready to accept any price to reach peace. Afghanistan is home to all. So, everyone should be involved.”
Hekmatyar voiced pleasure through a video link over and said: “we hope for an independent and respected Afghanistan.”
Welcoming thepeace deal, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah hoped that it would be the beginning of a nationwide peace.
He assured of cooperation for implementation of the agreement. Abdullah highlighted that the government of Afghanistan has also assure the international community that it would continue fight against terrorism.
“We want the peace deal with HIA to be implemented without delay. They (HIA) have strong influence over insurgent groups and HIA can play a significant role in stabilizing the country,” speaker Ibrahimi said.
A member of Wolesi Jirga, Allah Gul Mujahid asked for the removal of Hekatyar’s name from the UN blacklist. “I call upon the United Nations Security Council to remove Hikmatyar’s name from blacklist.”
“The agreement must be implemented soon as security situation of the country is getting worse,” Mujahid added.
It is worth mentioning that Hekmatyar’s name was included in the blacklist by the United Nations Security Council in 2003 for having links with the al-Qaeda terrorist network leader Osama bin Laden.
