The leader of Hizb-e-Islami, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, on Saturday suggested the establishment of a transitional government for a one-year term to expedite the peace negotiations with the Taliban but reiterated that the current republic system and the Afghan forces should be preserved. 

Gulbuddin also suggested that there is a need for the establishment of the high council of government with the participation of Afghanistan’s political leaders who will select officials of a transitional government for a one-year term and then election should be held. 

“This system shouldn’t be disintegrated, its entities and structures should be preserved, the Afghan army and security forces should not be dissolved, and the situation after (president) Najibullah’s government should not be repeated,” Hekmatyar said. 

He welcomed the withdrawal of foreign forces from the country, but said that the announcement had a political agenda. 

Hekmatyar said the US needs to provide clarification to the Afghan people and the Taliban about the extension of the May 1 deadline for the withdrawal of its troops. 

Hekmatyar asked the Taliban to announce a conditions based ceasefire and continue negotiations with Afghans under any circumstances. 

“I have a friendly suggestion to the Taliban. If you are determined for peace or if you see yourself compelled for war, in both situations, you should not abandon negotiations,” said Hekmatyar. 

He said that the Taliban are agreed on an election after a transitional government, but the Taliban has not directly agreed on an election for transition of power. 

“I think the Taliban will also agree to go for elections. The elections that were held in Afghanistan in the past several years, I am sure that majority of Afghans oppose that approach,” said Hekmatyar. 

This comes as a UN-led conference on Afghanistan is planned to take place in Turkey on April 24 where participants will discuss the future of the country.