Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 10-07-2019
The former Pakistan ambassador to Afghanistan Abrar Hussain has told Radio Islam the peace talks by Afghan delegates and Taliban representatives is a step in the right direction.
The two-day discussions in the Qatari capital of Doha, have ended with both sides calling to reduce civilian casualties to “zero” amid the rising death toll in the war-torn country.
The so-called intra-Afghan dialogue, sponsored by Qatar and Germany, between Afghan politicians, civil society members, including women, and the Taliban is seen as a substantive step towards peace in Afghanistan.
Abrar Hussain says while the gatherings promote the point of view from both sides, it’s not an official discussion.
“You may not call it a dialogue, or negotiations, because the other party is leaders from Afghanistan in their individual capacity, most of them belonging to opposition. So it’s not the Afghan government.”
Hussain says there are four step that can bring peace to Afghanistan.
“The withdrawal of foreign troops, the assurances from Taliban that Afghans [file] would not be used against other countries, seize fire and intra-Afghan dialogue.”
Hussain says while the talks are also aimed at sustaining peace after the expected withdrawal of US-led NATO troops, it could lead to civil war if there is no peace agreement in place.
Listen to the interview with Abrar Hussain
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