Hizb-e-Islami peace delegation to hold talks with US, Afghan officials

Want meaningful dialogue in transparent manner for Afghan problem, don't believe in secret dealings, Hizb-e-Islami.

PESHAWAR: The Hizb-e-Islami's (HI) Afghanistan political committee head Dr Ghairat Baheer said on Thursday that a peace delegation of HI was due to visit Kabul shortly to meet American and Afghan government officials to discuss a road map for peace in the war-torn country.

Speaking to the media following the 44th founding anniversary of HI at Shamshatu refugee camp on the outskirts of Peshawar, Baheer said that so far, two rounds of talks have been held in the past and a delegation of HI was bound to reach Kabul.

Baheer, also the son-in-law of former Afghan premier and HI chief Gulbudin Hikmatyar, parried questions about what was being discussed. However, he added that negotiations were in early stages and that no breakthrough was made.

“We want a meaningful dialogue in a transparent manner in order to chalk out a peaceful solution of the Afghan problem and do not believe in secret dealings,” said Baheer.

Answering a question on talks between Taliban and America, Baheer said that Taliban were their “brethren” and that they were trying to coordinate a joint strategy with them, so that a unified Afghan response could be given in talks.

However, he did not go into details of the parleys between two leading militant groups engaged against the US-backed Karzai government and Isaf troops.

“Americans are losing the war in Afghanistan,” said Baheer when asked about the US position in Afghanistan. However, he added that they were optimistic about peace.

He said that Americans were acknowledging that war was not a solution to the problem.

“We can offer the US, a face-saving solution and opportunity of a safe withdrawal from Afghanistan,” he added when asked what they could offer to US.