Amidst a sharp increase in violence some critics and a member of the reconciliation council on Friday said that further disagreement among political leaders will worsen the situation, suggesting that there should be more focus on building consensus on national issues.  

Violence has remained high in the country following US President Joe Biden’s announcement of withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan. The Ministry of Defense on Friday reported clashes in 13 provinces in the last 24 hours. 

“Hundreds of Afghan youth are killed on both sides every day. The situation is moving towards a wrong direction,” said Hafizurrahman Naqi, a member of Hizb-e-Islami. 

“Unfortunately, the current leaders of Afghanistan prefer their personal interest to national interests; therefore, we don’t have consensus,” said Ahmad Saeedi, a political commentator. 

Some Kabul residents interviewed by TOLOnews on Friday said the government leaders should think about the people, not their “personal interests.” They said to overcome the current crisis, political and government leaders should focus on unity. 

“They don’t care even if the people die or remain alive. They only think about their positions and to fill their pockets,” said Omid, a Kabul resident. 

 “They should put aside their personal interests and should focus on national issues and work to get the country out of the challenges,” said Arian, a Kabul resident. 

Amir Mohammad A member of the High Council for National Reconciliation, meanwhile, said the current rifts among Afghan politicians are “disappointing.” 

“There is no love for the country in the minds of these people. I am not optimistic that they will create political consensus,” said Amir Mohammad Akhundzada, a member of the High Council for National Reconciliation. 

But the Presidential Palace said that major steps have been taken to build consensus among political leaders on national issues. 

“The president of Afghanistan has had meetings with politicians of the country in the last two months,” a presidential spokesman Latif Mahmoud said.