Afghan Taliban reject Karzai, UN appeals for Ramazan ceasefire

President Karzai in his Ramazan message had asked the Taliban to stop fighting.


Tahir Khan July 10, 2013
President Karzai in his Ramazan message had asked the Taliban to stop fighting. PHOTO: REUTERS

ISLAMABAD: The Afghan Taliban have rejected appeals made by Afghan President Hamid Karzai and a senior UN official for a ceasefire in Ramazan.

They also vowed to increase attacks, claiming the “reward of fighting is much higher in the holy month.”

President Karzai in his Ramazan message had asked the Taliban to stop fighting.

“On the occasion of the holy month of Ramazan, I appeal to the Taliban to follow the path of peace and to stop killing people. I invite them to come and help the country and start an honourable life,” Afghan state television quoted President Karzai.

A day before Karzai’s appeal to the Taliban, a UN official also asked all sides in the conflict to show respect to Ramazan.

“Afghanistan has endured more than three decades of violence and is undergoing a political and security transition which is vital to its future development – I take the opportunity to also call upon all parties to the conflict to respect the sanctity of this month and allow Afghan families to worship and celebrate in peace,” UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative, Ján Kubiš, said.

The Taliban however dismissed both the appeals and said that its fighters will step up attacks.

_______________________________________________________________

[poll id="1169"]

COMMENTS (8)

Aschraful Makhlooq | 10 years ago | Reply

Ceasefire must be from US and Taliban both sides not from single side because US' and NATO's forces also have to ceasefire in the holy month of Ramadan so that Taliban have to ceasefire.Why only Taliban and are US' and NATO's forces doing good job by killing the innocent and sinless muslims and Taliban are doing bad job by killing the US' and NATO's troops?????

ashar | 10 years ago | Reply

Poor Karzai

VIEW MORE COMMENTS
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ