Afghans who have traveled to Mazar-e-Sharif city, the capital of Balkh province, for Nawroz celebrations have said they are satisfied with security measures in place in the northern city ahead of the start of the new solar year.
 
However, they called on the Taliban to lay down their weapons and join the peace process.
 
Speaking on the eve of the Persian New Year, many said they would like to see lasting peace come to Afghanistan.
 
One young man, Qais, from Maidan Wardak province, has traveled to Mazar-e-Sharif to celebrate Nawroz. While visiting the Hazrat Ali shrine with a friend he said: “We came here to Mazar-e-Sharif to celebrate Nawroz.”
  
Currently the city is adorned with lights and is teeming with visitors from around the country – all there to celebrate the new year.
 
Hamid is another visitor, who is from Samangan province. He said he is optimistic about peace coming to the country and asked people to stand united in order to attain a secure Afghanistan.
 
TOLOnews reporter Arif Mosavi also spoke to some Helmand residents who were in Mazar for the celebrations.
 
“We hope that security is maintained across our country and all people stay in peace,” said Helmand resident Jabar.
 
“Most of the people buy bolani (traditional Afghan pastry) here; those who are financially well off are staying in hotels and everyone is buying bolani,” said Ali, a bolani seller.
 
With the influx of visitors, traffic has increased in the city ahead of Nawroz but traffic police said they are working hard to keep the city free of any incidents.
 
“We are working day and night to have a good traffic flow in order to prevent any bad incident,” said Mohammad Naeem Osman, a traffic police officer in Mazar-e-Sharif city.