As discussions ramp up over the possibility of the Taliban joining the peace talks tables, the High Peace Council chairman Mohammad Karim Khalili said practical steps will be taken on peace within the next few months.
Khalili said renewed efforts by the council will result in official talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.
“We will take (practical) steps in the next (solar) year towards ending the war, or reducing the war and towards peace,” Khalili said.
At the same event, on the death anniversary of Abdul Ali Mazari, a former political leader, President Ashraf Ghani said the citizens’ rights will be safe during peace negotiations. However, the Second Vice President Mohammad Sarwar Danish warned the Taliban that it will not win the war on the battleground.
“A national forum should be held in Afghanistan, and peace which is a vital issue for us should find an opportunity (of discussion) in this forum,” Ghani said.
Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah meanwhile stressed the need for holding a timely presidential election in the country.
He said government will not interfere in election affairs.
“I reiterate the (government’s) commitment for holding a timely presidential as well as parliamentary and district council elections,” Abdullah added.
According to Ghani, ending the chaos, which is the legacy of the past 40 years, is government’s top priority.
Last month, the Afghan government put forward a peace offer without conditions to the Taliban. However, the Taliban has not yet responded to the offer.
In a trip to Herat province on Saturday, Khalili said Taliban has not shown any indication that it will accept government’s peace offer.
He said the group does not want to start negotiations with government.