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Details Of Peace Agreement Mapped Out

After months of backdoor peace negotiations between the National Unity Government (NUG) and one of the country's militant groups, Hizb-e-Islami, the two sides are apparently edging closer to sealing a ground breaking peace agreement.

In the peace deal, which TOLOnews has seen, it has been stated that with consideration of the needs of the nation in terms of sustainable peace and security, social justice and development, all political forces and political elites of Afghanistan need to work together to move the country towards longstanding development in all spheres.

"In line with the ongoing situations in the country, there is a need to understand the main aspects of the ongoing turmoil, insecurity, instability, injustice and ongoing wars and there should be collective efforts to ensure Afghanistan's territorial integrity, national sovereignty against the threats so that the political system can serve the people. Political parties, political institutions and social institutions should abide by the provisions of the constitution and the Islamic principles," the preface of the agreement reads.

Keeping in mind the mentioned items, the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and Hizb-e-Islami have reportedly so far agreed on the following items:

Chapter One

The basic principles:

Article 01: The two sides by keeping a firm faith in Allah (God) and by abiding by the Islamic teachings have committed to surrender to the Islamic guidelines and will never violate the Islamic laws.

Article 02: The two sides believe that Islamic laws and principles will form the foundation of all affairs in the government which have been predicted in articles 2 and 3 of the constitution that Islam is the official religion of the Islamic republic of Afghanistan and no other law can be restored in Afghanistan except the glorious religion of Islam.

Article 03: The two sides also believe that the entire nation has a responsibility before the law and their rights will be protected under the items of the laws of the country including the rights of women and men. A united and sovereign Afghanistan belongs to all citizens living in this country and the national sovereignty is the resolute and genuine right of the Afghan people which is expected directly or indirectly by the elected representatives of the people.

Article 04: The consolidation of the national sovereignty and protection of the national interests are the common objectives of the two sides. All sides have consensus that the people of Afghanistan through maintaining their solidarity and unions can overcome the turmoil which has emerged in the country through the war. But the two sides have their own ideas about the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan. However the two sides are determined to act upon the items of this agreement. Hizb-e-Islami party of Afghanistan demands an appropriate timeframe for the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan.

Chapter Two

Mutual commitments:

The first part, the commitments of the government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan:

Article 05: To end the war in the country, the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has committed to consult the United Nations Security Council, certain countries and other institutions to lift restrictions by them against Hizb-e-Islami party of Afghanistan, its leadership and members as soon as possible. The government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has also committed to taking necessary steps in this respect in the near future so that all sanctions against the leadership of Hizb-e-Islami and its members are lifted.

Article 06: With signing of the agreement, the government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan will officially announce that the honorable Amir of Hizb-e-Islami party of Afghanistan and its prominent members are able to live in any part of the country with complete freedom on the basis of the prevailing laws of Afghanistan. The government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has committed itself to taking necessary steps in this respect.

Article 07: The government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan will commit to recognizing that that Hizb-e-Islami is allowed to undertake political and social activities in line with the laws of the country and will cooperate with Hizb-e-Islami in this respect. Government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has also committed that Hizb-e-Islami will have the right to nominate its candidate for the presidential, parliamentary, district council and municipality elections.

Article 08: The government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has also committed that in consultations with the social, political and government institutions, it will take steps to reform Afghanistan's election system. The government has also committed to consider a role for Hizb-e-Islami in the electoral reform process. The government has also committed that in consultation with relevant institutions, it will pave the way for a party-based or party-oriented elections in Afghanistan and an effective role for Hizb-e-Islami in the election system, but in line with the laws of Afghanistan.

Article 09: President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan will issue an order which will define the necessary protocol for the jihadi leader of Afghanistan his excellency Gulbuddin Hekmatyar in recognition of his efforts for peace and security in the country and his endeavors for the freedom of Afghanistan. However the modality of the protocol will be recommended to the president in understanding the high peace council and the Hizb-e-Islami delegation.

Article 10: The leadership of Hizb-e-Islami will be allowed to select two or three locations in Afghanistan for their residence. The government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is responsible to provide security and finance for it.

Article 11: The government of Islamic Republic of will guarantee the judicial protection of Hizb-e-Islami leadership and its members in line with this agreement. The government has also committed to making sure Hizb-e-Islami members who were jailed for their activities will be released. This will be dealt with by a special commission in which Hizb-e-Islami will also participate. The process for the release of prisoners will be completed within two months.

Article 12: The leadership of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan also guarantees that the presence of Hizb-e-Islami leadership will be included in consultations and decision making processes on certain important national issues. However the approach of their presence will be tackled through a special commission.

Article 13: Government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan also commits itself to pave the way for the participation of Hizb-e-Islami in government institutions in line with the laws of Afghanistan.

Article 14: The government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan also commits to recruiting commanders and eligible personnel of Hizb-e-Islami into the country's security and defense forces.

Article 15: The government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan also commits to taking necessary steps for the settlement of refugees in Nusrat Meena camp and the rest of the Afghan refugees in Pakistan and Iran so that they can return to their country in a dignified manner.

To meet this challenge, the government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan also commits to paving the proper ground for the safe and dignified return of these refugees from certain nations.

Article 17: The return of Hizb-e-Islami members will be made in line with the items of the same agreement.

Chapter Three

Commitments made by Hizb-e-Islami to Afghan government

Article 18: With the official announcement of this agreement by the High Peace Council and government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Hizb-e-Islami will officially announce that it will undertake its political activities in the country in line with the laws of Afghanistan in order to give a permanent end to war and restore sustainable peace and security in the country. With the agreement, Hizb-e-Islami will endorse the constitution of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, it will announce a ceasefire and will terminate its military struggle and will dismantle its military establishment.

The government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan will take all necessary steps for the security of Hizb-e-Islami leadership and members.

Article 19: With the signing of this agreement, Hizb-e-Islami commits itself to cutting ties with all terrorist groups and other illegal armed groups and will not further support them.

Article 20: Hizb-e-Islami party also commits that as an active political party it will cooperate with the government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan for the defense of the people of the country and boost the security across the nation. Hizb-e-Islami will also open its offices in the capital and the provinces.

Article 21: Hizbe-e-Islami by considering its national and religious obligations is fully prepared to make efforts for the restoration of sustainable peace and security in Afghanistan and support the efforts of the High Peace Council in this respect.

Article 22: The agreement as a credible document between government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and Hizb-e-Islami will be put into effect from the day it is signed. Any further changes to the items of the agreement are to be taken into effect in mutual consultations between the two sides.

Article 23: For the proper implementation of the agreement, the two sides have agreed on the establishment of a commission comprising officials from the two sides. The commission will undertake its activities in coordination and harmony with the High Peace Council.

Article 24: In case of any disagreements, the two sides will resolve their disputes in a friendly manner within the framework of the commission.

Article 25: The three chapter and 25 article agreement was signed on 10th September 2016.

Also listed in the document are the expected signatories. They are:

Muhandis Mohammad Amin Karim: head of Hizb-e-Islami delegation

Maulavi Attaurrahman Saleem, head of the High Peace Council delegation

Mohammad Hanif Atmar, representative of government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

Pir Sayed Ahmad Gillani, head the High Peace Council

Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, Amir of Hizb-e-Islami

Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

Details Of Peace Agreement Mapped Out

After months of backdoor peace negotiations between the National Unity Government (NUG) and one of

Thumbnail

After months of backdoor peace negotiations between the National Unity Government (NUG) and one of the country's militant groups, Hizb-e-Islami, the two sides are apparently edging closer to sealing a ground breaking peace agreement.

In the peace deal, which TOLOnews has seen, it has been stated that with consideration of the needs of the nation in terms of sustainable peace and security, social justice and development, all political forces and political elites of Afghanistan need to work together to move the country towards longstanding development in all spheres.

"In line with the ongoing situations in the country, there is a need to understand the main aspects of the ongoing turmoil, insecurity, instability, injustice and ongoing wars and there should be collective efforts to ensure Afghanistan's territorial integrity, national sovereignty against the threats so that the political system can serve the people. Political parties, political institutions and social institutions should abide by the provisions of the constitution and the Islamic principles," the preface of the agreement reads.

Keeping in mind the mentioned items, the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and Hizb-e-Islami have reportedly so far agreed on the following items:

Chapter One

The basic principles:

Article 01: The two sides by keeping a firm faith in Allah (God) and by abiding by the Islamic teachings have committed to surrender to the Islamic guidelines and will never violate the Islamic laws.

Article 02: The two sides believe that Islamic laws and principles will form the foundation of all affairs in the government which have been predicted in articles 2 and 3 of the constitution that Islam is the official religion of the Islamic republic of Afghanistan and no other law can be restored in Afghanistan except the glorious religion of Islam.

Article 03: The two sides also believe that the entire nation has a responsibility before the law and their rights will be protected under the items of the laws of the country including the rights of women and men. A united and sovereign Afghanistan belongs to all citizens living in this country and the national sovereignty is the resolute and genuine right of the Afghan people which is expected directly or indirectly by the elected representatives of the people.

Article 04: The consolidation of the national sovereignty and protection of the national interests are the common objectives of the two sides. All sides have consensus that the people of Afghanistan through maintaining their solidarity and unions can overcome the turmoil which has emerged in the country through the war. But the two sides have their own ideas about the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan. However the two sides are determined to act upon the items of this agreement. Hizb-e-Islami party of Afghanistan demands an appropriate timeframe for the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan.

Chapter Two

Mutual commitments:

The first part, the commitments of the government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan:

Article 05: To end the war in the country, the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has committed to consult the United Nations Security Council, certain countries and other institutions to lift restrictions by them against Hizb-e-Islami party of Afghanistan, its leadership and members as soon as possible. The government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has also committed to taking necessary steps in this respect in the near future so that all sanctions against the leadership of Hizb-e-Islami and its members are lifted.

Article 06: With signing of the agreement, the government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan will officially announce that the honorable Amir of Hizb-e-Islami party of Afghanistan and its prominent members are able to live in any part of the country with complete freedom on the basis of the prevailing laws of Afghanistan. The government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has committed itself to taking necessary steps in this respect.

Article 07: The government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan will commit to recognizing that that Hizb-e-Islami is allowed to undertake political and social activities in line with the laws of the country and will cooperate with Hizb-e-Islami in this respect. Government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has also committed that Hizb-e-Islami will have the right to nominate its candidate for the presidential, parliamentary, district council and municipality elections.

Article 08: The government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has also committed that in consultations with the social, political and government institutions, it will take steps to reform Afghanistan's election system. The government has also committed to consider a role for Hizb-e-Islami in the electoral reform process. The government has also committed that in consultation with relevant institutions, it will pave the way for a party-based or party-oriented elections in Afghanistan and an effective role for Hizb-e-Islami in the election system, but in line with the laws of Afghanistan.

Article 09: President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan will issue an order which will define the necessary protocol for the jihadi leader of Afghanistan his excellency Gulbuddin Hekmatyar in recognition of his efforts for peace and security in the country and his endeavors for the freedom of Afghanistan. However the modality of the protocol will be recommended to the president in understanding the high peace council and the Hizb-e-Islami delegation.

Article 10: The leadership of Hizb-e-Islami will be allowed to select two or three locations in Afghanistan for their residence. The government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is responsible to provide security and finance for it.

Article 11: The government of Islamic Republic of will guarantee the judicial protection of Hizb-e-Islami leadership and its members in line with this agreement. The government has also committed to making sure Hizb-e-Islami members who were jailed for their activities will be released. This will be dealt with by a special commission in which Hizb-e-Islami will also participate. The process for the release of prisoners will be completed within two months.

Article 12: The leadership of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan also guarantees that the presence of Hizb-e-Islami leadership will be included in consultations and decision making processes on certain important national issues. However the approach of their presence will be tackled through a special commission.

Article 13: Government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan also commits itself to pave the way for the participation of Hizb-e-Islami in government institutions in line with the laws of Afghanistan.

Article 14: The government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan also commits to recruiting commanders and eligible personnel of Hizb-e-Islami into the country's security and defense forces.

Article 15: The government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan also commits to taking necessary steps for the settlement of refugees in Nusrat Meena camp and the rest of the Afghan refugees in Pakistan and Iran so that they can return to their country in a dignified manner.

To meet this challenge, the government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan also commits to paving the proper ground for the safe and dignified return of these refugees from certain nations.

Article 17: The return of Hizb-e-Islami members will be made in line with the items of the same agreement.

Chapter Three

Commitments made by Hizb-e-Islami to Afghan government

Article 18: With the official announcement of this agreement by the High Peace Council and government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Hizb-e-Islami will officially announce that it will undertake its political activities in the country in line with the laws of Afghanistan in order to give a permanent end to war and restore sustainable peace and security in the country. With the agreement, Hizb-e-Islami will endorse the constitution of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, it will announce a ceasefire and will terminate its military struggle and will dismantle its military establishment.

The government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan will take all necessary steps for the security of Hizb-e-Islami leadership and members.

Article 19: With the signing of this agreement, Hizb-e-Islami commits itself to cutting ties with all terrorist groups and other illegal armed groups and will not further support them.

Article 20: Hizb-e-Islami party also commits that as an active political party it will cooperate with the government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan for the defense of the people of the country and boost the security across the nation. Hizb-e-Islami will also open its offices in the capital and the provinces.

Article 21: Hizbe-e-Islami by considering its national and religious obligations is fully prepared to make efforts for the restoration of sustainable peace and security in Afghanistan and support the efforts of the High Peace Council in this respect.

Article 22: The agreement as a credible document between government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and Hizb-e-Islami will be put into effect from the day it is signed. Any further changes to the items of the agreement are to be taken into effect in mutual consultations between the two sides.

Article 23: For the proper implementation of the agreement, the two sides have agreed on the establishment of a commission comprising officials from the two sides. The commission will undertake its activities in coordination and harmony with the High Peace Council.

Article 24: In case of any disagreements, the two sides will resolve their disputes in a friendly manner within the framework of the commission.

Article 25: The three chapter and 25 article agreement was signed on 10th September 2016.

Also listed in the document are the expected signatories. They are:

Muhandis Mohammad Amin Karim: head of Hizb-e-Islami delegation

Maulavi Attaurrahman Saleem, head of the High Peace Council delegation

Mohammad Hanif Atmar, representative of government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

Pir Sayed Ahmad Gillani, head the High Peace Council

Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, Amir of Hizb-e-Islami

Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

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