Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Thursday, March 28th, 2024

Ghani Expresses Optimism Over Possible Peace Deal with Taliban

Ghani Expresses Optimism Over Possible Peace Deal with Taliban

KABUL - Afghan President Ashraf Ghani voiced confidence Monday on reaching a peace deal to end the Taliban insurgency -- but warned Pakistan's alleged meddling risked sparking long-term hostility.
"I feel that it is now not a question of if, but when," Ghani said of a peace agreement in a wide-ranging appearance by video at Johns Hopkins University, where he was formerly a professor.
"All wars have to end politically. There are very few wars, particularly the wars of the 21st century, that are going to end militarily," he said.
According to the AFP, Ghani, who is running for re-election next year, said he was offering unconditional talks and pointed to an unprecedented ceasefire with the Taliban in June as a hopeful sign.
Taliban representatives recently met in Qatar with an envoy from the United States, which is eager for a way out of its longest-ever war, launched in 2001 after the September 11 attacks.
"There is total agreement between the US government and Afghan government to move the peace process forward," Ghani said, while stressing that Kabul rather than Washington would lead the negotiations.
"I am committed to this, to make it happen, because it is a demand of the society."
- Rising 'distrust' with Pakistan -
But Ghani voiced disappointment over Pakistan, which was the chief supporter of the former Taliban regime. US and Afghan officials say Pakistan still allows Taliban extremists to operate from its soil.
Ghani said that last month's killing of senior Afghan general Abdul Raziq, by a shooter who Kabul says trained in Pakistan, has "brought an intense level of distrust."
"We equally offer peace to Pakistan to put an end to the undeclared state of hostilities between our two countries," Ghani said. (Pajhwok)