Lawmakers in the Wolesi Jirga, Lower House of Parliament, on Wednesday welcomed government’s initiative to establish the high advisory board for peace and the negotiating team which according to government, are aimed at creating a national consensus for brokering purposeful peace talks with the Taliban.
 
MPs said that those appointed as members of the advisory board and the negotiating team can influence the current situation in the country and that the recent efforts for peace have raised hopes to break the stalemate around peace talks between government and the armed opponents. 
 
MPs suggested that government should undertake a policy with the Taliban which it had adopted towards Gulbuddin Hekmatyar-led Hizb-e-Islami to come to the negotiations table.
 
At the same time, the MPs urged government not to compromise the rights of the Afghan people in its strides for peace talks with the Taliban.
 
“The list I saw last night includes those who have rendered sacrifices for Afghanistan and they are those who have created issues in Afghanistan,” said Ghulam Sakhi Mashwani, an MP.
 
“It is a good formation. They are those people who have a role in the future of Afghanistan. We take it as a positive step,” said MP Obaidullah Barikzai.
 
Some MPs meanwhile warned that Pakistan which wields strong reputation on the Taliban may not contribute effectively in the process.
 
“Pakistan smartly thinks about its own interests. I don’t think that Pakistan will contribute sincerely when it comes to peace in Afghanistan,” said MP Fatima Aziz.
 
“Taliban can also be part of this process. Considering a share apart from this will be an act of oppression against the people of Afghanistan,” MP Muhayyuddin Mahdi said.