HPC Stresses Need for Intra-Afghan Dialogue on Peace

Officials of the Afghan High Peace Council explains that Grand Consultative Jirga is mainly being established for peace talks, adding Afghans from all layers of the society will attend and share their thoughts concerning peace in the country.

Mohammad Omar Daudzai, Head of the Afghan HPC secretariat, in a national gathering on civil society and the media Tuesday said that peace process have not been shared with the people the right way, adding they fear achievements of the past 18 years might be compromised during the negotiations.

According to Daudzai, through the Grand Consultative Jirga (national assembly), not only war will draw an end, but also peace will prevail amongst the Afghan citizens.

He said efforts are underway to bring the Taliban in a round table with the government of Afghanistan, thus a national assembly is needed to lay the foundation for an inclusive and intra-Afghan talks for peace.

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Meanwhile, Palwasha Hassan, a civil society representative said the role of the regional countries in Afghan peace process is necessary; but ongoing tensions, and ups and down in regional countries affects the process – indirectly referring to the ongoing tensions between Pakistan and India.

Fahim Dashti, CEO of the Afghan Independent Journalists Association, on behalf of Afghan journalists said the freedom of speech is one of the main achievements of the past 18 years; and should not be sacrificed during the peace negotiations.

The Grand Consultative Jirga, which is a traditional assembly of Afghan delegates from all layers of the society, was initially scheduled on March 17. The government, however, announced April 29 as a new date.

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President Ashraf Ghani has assigned Umer Daudzai, head of the HPC secretariat, to organize the Jirga. According to Daudzai, roughly 2,500 delegates will attend the assembly, in which women will compose at least 30 percent.

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Freshta Hashimi of The Killid Group has contributed to this report