Former Jihadi leader Abdul Rab Rasoul Sayyaf said he hopes the ceasefire between the Afghan government and the Taliban will be a long-term truce and that the militant group stops fighting government forces. 
 
Addressing reporters in Kabul on Friday, Sayyaf reiterated that the war, explosions and suicide bombings are forbidden under Islamic law.
 
“I call on anti-government armed militants to stop this forbidden war. It is an obligation of the people to make a firm decision and agree that the war must end,” said Sayyaf.
 
He also spoke about the upcoming elections and called on the people to participate in the process and cast their votes in order to determine the country’s future.
 
Sayyaf also called on government to prevent any fraud in the upcoming elections. 
 
“Do not interfere in people’s will and let them decide on their own and use their votes based on religious justifications. Government must prevent fraud in the elections,” Sayyaf added.

The Taliban’s ceasefire started on Friday and will continue for three days -until the end of Sunday.

Government’s ceasefire is for eight days. 

The decision has been widely welcomed across the country.