Leader of Hizb-e-Islami group Gulbuddin Hekmatyar on Tuesday labeled the Taliban war against government “satanic and vain”, and reiterated his calls for the group to join the peace and reconciliation process. 
 
Hekmatyar, the longtime leader of Hizb-e-Islami who recently sealed a peace accord with the Afghan government after years of self-exile, said at a gathering on Tuesday the Taliban is fighting for the interests of strangers. 
 
“Those who are choosing the path of war, they are the oppressors and they are moving the wrong way, they pursue inhuman and satanic objectives,” he said, referring to the ongoing insurgency by the Taliban. 
 
Pointing to the formation of new political coalitions, Hekmatyar said certain groups within government are attempting to weaken the state and create challenges in the way of the peace process.
 
“Now this system is threatened by those who are part of government. Sometimes they form coalitions, sometimes they organize protests and sometimes they establish sit in tents on the streets,” he told the gathering who were Hizb-e-Islami loyalists from Logar province.
 
The Logar residents meanwhile tabled a number of demands and recommendations to be addressed by the Hizb-e-Islami leader.
 
“Every person in Logar is your soldier and your free soldier,” insisted Gulzar Sangarwal, a member of Logar Provincial Council. 
 
“Our hopes and expectations from our leader (Hekmatyar) is that serious action should be taken regarding the release of the (Hizb-e-Islami) prisoners,” said Mohammad Hassan, a member of Hizb-e-Islami. 
 
“When there is peace in our country, this would be a major step towards development,” said Sabawoon, a resident of Logar. 
 
Hekmatyar also called on political factions to dissolve their military wings. 
 
“The parties which are also in government have their own independent military structure, even they have their governments,” the Hizb-e-Islami leader claimed. 
 
Based on the agreement signed between Hizb-e-Islami and the Afghan government, the group has committed to disarming its fighters, something that has not happened so far.