Updated on
Summary Security in the landlocked country has remained top concern for ordinary Afghans over past decade.
Despite the Afghan governments continued work towards peace and its repeated offer for talks and reconciliation, Taliban militants who have been waging a fierce insurgency frequently rejected the offer, saying there would be no negotiations until foreign forces leave Afghanistan, Xinhua reported.People are killed and injured in insurgents roadside and suicide bombings here. Enough is enough. We want to see durable peace at its earliest and we support peace talks but prefer it to be held in Kabul, Kabul resident Hossain Sirat, 24, told Xinhua on Wednesday as the New Year is drawing near.On Dec. 14, an Indian newspaper reported that plans were being finalized for a Taliban office in the Gulf state of Qatar to hold talks with the Afghan government. However, the Afghan government said it would not oppose if Taliban open office for negotiations either inside Afghanistan or abroad.I personally support talks with the Taliban but believe that opening Taliban office in Qatar means setting up a new government parallel to President Hamid Karzais administration, Sirat said.Our priority is that such office should be inside Afghanistan or in another Islamic country preferably Saudi Arabia or Turkey, Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmai Rasoul said in a press briefing on Dec. 18.The war-tired Afghans have been fed up with the endemic strife and Taliban-led militancy as insurgents launch daily attacks mostly in the shape of suicide and roadside bombings claiming the lives of innocent people.I learned from recent local media reports that secret dialogue between U.S. and Taliban had reached critical stage and I pray for its success at its earliest, said Hamid Poya, 26.Ordinary Afghans and local organizations are also seeking ways to realize lasting peace in the war-ravaged country.Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Dec. 15 chaired a consultative meeting with top aides, political and social figures to discuss the establishment of a practical mechanism for talks with the armed opposition groups, said a statement posted on the Presidential Palace website.The government of Afghanistan has suspended efforts for peace talks with the Taliban outfit after the assassination of Afghan chief peace negotiator Burhanudin Rabbani by an alleged Taliban fighter on Sept. 20.Afghan government has said that Ending the war and achieving peace and national reconciliation in the country tops the agenda of the government.However, Poya, an ordinary Afghan citizen, said that negotiations with Taliban should not compromise on human rights and freedom of expression.We do not want the gains made over the past 10 years to be lost in peace talks. Human rights, womens rights, freedom and constitution should be protected in talks with Taliban and the outfit should accept the constitution which guarantees education and equality for all, Poya said.
