KABUL -  President Ashraf Ghani said Saturday that Pakistan is in a state of isolation and its seclusion is not in Afghanistan’s interest.
During a meeting at the Presidential Palace, the president urged elders from Loy Kandahar to support the government-led peace process.
Tofan Waziri, Senator Mohammad Hanif Hanafi and Gulalai Achakzai spoke on behalf of the elders, a statement from the Presidential Palace said.
Despite insecurity and threats, they acknowledged President Ashraf Ghani’s success in achieving economic development, region cooperation and foreign policy.
They called the intra-Afghan negotiations the only viable way to achieve peace, saying the Afghans could no longer afford to remain in poverty and war. They urged peace talks with all rebel groups.
Ghani welcomed the elders’ support for the peace process, a key demand of the war-weary people, according to the statement.
He remarked: “Peace is our main demand. To achieve this goal, we need to work together, public support, patience and flexibility.”
Successful parleys had been conducted with the Hezb-i-Islami Afghanistan based sincerity, a strong will, justice and legality. As a consequence, he added, his administration was more interested in reconciliation.
He appreciated the people of the Khak-i-Afghan district of southern Zabul province for driving terrorist groups from their areas -- a good omen for Afghanistan’s peace, stability and progress.
Ghani observed: “Today Pakistan is in isolation but it is not in our interest. As a government, we should eventually make peace with Pakistan, which should be convinced to stop aiding terrorists.”
The government was committed to improving the situation of all people, including women, and will provide essential facilities for them based on law. (Pajhwok)