The formation and authorities of the High Advisory Board for Peace, which encompasses incumbent and ex-government officials, political parties and some prominent politicians, was faced with mixed reactions on Thursday, as the political committee of the political parties called the formation of the new body unacceptable. 
 
The political parties have stepped up their separate efforts to negotiate with the Taliban, said the committee of the political parties.
 
Meanwhile, officials from the High Peace Council (HPC) have criticized what they call defects in the structure of the new board.
 
This comes after the Afghan government on Tuesday announced the establishment of the high advisory board for peace and a peace negotiating team of government members, aimed at creating a national consensus for brokering purposeful peace talks with the Taliban.
 
The peace advisory board encompasses at least 17 political and Jihadi personalities. But a difference of opinion among the political parties shows their views are not unanimous regarding the nature of the peace process with the Taliban.
 
“The political parties do not have an effective role in these talks... By the way, when we asked, these gentlemen were not aware that their names had been put on the list,” said Mohammad Natiqi, head of the political committee of the political parties.
 
It seems that Gulbuddin Hekmatyar-led Hizb-e-Islami also has reservations about the structure and formation of the peace board.
 
“The view of Hizb (Hizb-e-Islami group) is that this board should be a decision-making board. From the government's side, only the president and the chief executive officer should be there,” said a member of Hizb-e-Islami, Humayoun Jarir.
 
Certain members of Jamiat-e-Islami party of Afghanistan have also said the government had put their names in the peace board without consulting them.
 
“There are some prominent faces of the country on it, but we need more to be there. The efforts of the board will prove effective when the Taliban also comes onto this board,” said HPC member, Qazi Amin Weqad.
 
“I have much doubt in the leadership and intention of this regime. It is not pursuing any honest program,” said Ahmad Wali Massoud, chairman of the Massoud Foundation.
 
However, the political parties and movements have said they will announce their separate delegation for peace on Saturday, which will hold talks with the Taliban outside the country.