Government Welcomes Hekmatyar’s Return to Afghanistan

Afghan government welcomed the return of Hizb-e-Islami leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar to Afghanistan. A press release from ARG (presidential palace) stated that Afghan government welcomes return of Hekmatyar to Afghanistan through intra-Afghan peace talks and peace accord reached between Afghan government and the party. Hekmatyar, who was hidden for some 20 years, addressed a crowd of supporter in Mehtarlam, provincial capital of Laghman, today and called on all insurgent groups, especially Taleban, to end the conflict and join Afghan peace process. The statement added that Hekmatyar’s return proves that Afghan people have the capacity and potential to resolve the conflict through dialogues and negotiations. The statement further stated that Hekmatyar’s return would undoubtedly have positive impact on peace, prosperity and development in the country. The government once again called on all anti-government groups to leave the conflict and join the peace process. In September-end last year, the national unity government signed a peace deal with Hizb-e-Islami and agreed to request the UN to remove his name from a UN blacklist. Hizb-e- Islami became the only insurgent leader to sign a peace agreement with the Afghan government, in what many hoped would provide a model for a wider reconciliation with the Taleban.