Afghan Taliban reject Karzai, UN appeals for Ramazan ceasefire

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.

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