Hizb-e-Islami hints at peace deal with Ghani’s govt

The second largest resistance group in Afghanistan, will declare ceasefire as it formally inks an agreement in Kabul


Tahir Khan May 04, 2016
PHOTO: REUTERS

ISLAMABAD: The Hizb-e-Islami Afghanistan (HIA) led by Engineer Gulbuddin Hekmatyar on Wednesday hinted at “signing a peace deal in days” with the government as both sides have made “substantial progress” in negotiations, the HIA sources privy to the on-going talks said.

The HIA, the second largest resistance group in Afghanistan, will declare a ceasefire as the group formally inks an agreement in Kabul, the sources told The Express Tribune from Kabul.

Hizb-e-Islami to join Afghan peace talks

Over the past few weeks, a five-member delegation of the Hizb leaders had been involved in talks with the government-sponsored High Peace Council and security officials over a 25-point agenda.

Some of the key points are withdrawal of foreign forces, removal of the name of Hekmatyar and other Hizb leaders' from the US, UN blacklists, release of all prisoners and shifting of the “Shamshato refugees camp” from Pakistan to Afghanistan.

The camp known as Nasrat Mina is located near Peshawar and mostly houses Hizb’s sympathisers.

Afghan officials have indicated they would approach the UN and the US for lifting Hekmatyar’s name from the terror list after the peace deal is signed.

Afghan peace process: Party wants curbs on Hekmatyar lifted

Although Hizb is not as strong it had been in the past, its current talks with the government assumed importance in the wake of the Taliban’s rejection of the peace process.

A presidential adviser, Qutbuddin Hilal, said this week that Hekmatyar will come to Afghanistan after the deal is inked. Whereabouts of Hekmatyar, who had briefly served as prime minister, have been unknown since 2001.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 5th, 2016.

COMMENTS (5)

Yarghal | 7 years ago | Reply Some of the Afghan militia groups come to the conclusion that being on the Pakistani payroll and under the control of ISI is out of fashion. The Afghan people hate the Pakistani terrorists and the door may close forever for them returning to Afghanistan. These militia groups understand that the time came to go home and get out of Pakistani slavery. Otherwise they will die in their spider holes and buried in Pakistani soil. This is the reason why the Afghan groups such as HI and it’s leader Hekmatyar surrenders to the Afghan government. What to do with this criminal war lord? According to international code of ethic no harm is done to the enemies, if they surrender. It is hard to accept this fact and allow Hekmatyar to return to Afghanistan despite his criminal actions in the past and his war crimes leading to killing of thousands and destruction of Kabul after the defeat of Russian. It is, however, still the better evil, if these people lay down their weapons and surrender. The Pakistani fueled war and the killing will eventually stops in Afghanistan, but Pakistan will deal with it's terrorist tool for long time to come as Dr. Frankenstein had to deal with his monster.
Hakim Afghan | 7 years ago | Reply @Azfar bilal: There was 0% cooperation from Pakistani side with Hizb-e-Islami. It was direct talks between Afghan government and Hizb-e-Islami... Pakistan was never among them - so don't try to take free credit.
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