The “Afghan Peace Conference” hosted by Pakistan in the town of Bhurban was kicked off on Saturday morning where senior Afghan politicians have attended.

The Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi spoke at the opening of the conference. 

Among Afghan politicians who have attended the conference are Hizb-e-Islami leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, former Balkh governor Atta Mohammad Noor, second deputy chief executive Mohammad Mohaqeq, and presidential candidate Abdul Latif Pedram. 

Other important figures include the High Peace Council Chairman Mohammad Karim Khalili, presidential candidate Mohammad Haneef Atmar, former vice president Mohammad Yunus Qanooni, and former governor Ismail Khan.

The event has been organized by Lahore Center for Peace Research (LCPR) and the South Asian Strategic Stability Institute (SASSI).

At least 30 senior Afghan leaders have been invited to the conference.

Former president Hamid Karzai's office in a statement said that Karzai will not attend the meeting due to a limited time for preparations. Karzai thanked Pakistan for hosting the meeting and said he will visit the neighboring country in another opportunity.

Addressing the conference, Hekmatyar talks between the Taliban and the US is not enough to solve Afghan conflict but only Afghans can solve the problem. 

He said that a halt to foreign intervention can help end the Afghan war. 

Hekmatyar said that he wants Afghan unanimous voice to call for foreign forces’ withdrawal.