Monitoring Desk
KABUL: President Muhammad Ashraf Ghani on Wednesday inaugurated the first joint session of parliament’s 8th year and 16th legal term as the parliament has already completed its legal term around two years ago while the senate is also incomplete. Addressing the joint session of parliament, the president urged Taliban to come forward to peace and security of Afghanistan without shedding the blood.
Besides government officials and cabinet members, leader of Hezb-i-Islami, Gulbadin Hamatyar, also attended the opening ceremony.
Earlier, chairman of Wolesi Jirga, Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi, said the though insecurity has increased, they hoped the problems would be resolved and the people would live a peaceful life in the country. He announced support to president’s peace strategy.
President Ashraf Ghani said that nearly 300 laws or legal documents were amended or approved by the parliament over the past three years which, he said, is a big achievement.
He said the government did not interfere in legislation. Stressing on transparency in elections, Ashraf Ghani said the government was bound to provide all resources for holding election in the country and stop any interference in the election.
Urging Taliban to come to negotiation stable and resolve the Afghan issue without shedding the blood, the Afghan president said, “We say it loudly that we would not divert from our chosen path to peace and call upon the Taliban to come to talks in the larger interest of Islam and Afghanistan so that problems and differences could be resolved without shedding the blood.”
The president stressed the need for national consensus on peace, saying the Afghan nation, especially the women, was the real victim of the war.
He said there were some limited people who see their interest in the continuation of war and this was the reason that some elements doubt his peace call. “It is quite clear that the national unity government and the people of Afghanistan want peace and the Afghans see their interest and honour in peace,” he said.
He said required attention was not given to education in the past but necessary attention would be given to education in the next year.
He said administrative reforms was as necessary as security reforms and holding transparent examination in centre and provinces by the administrative reforms and civil services commission would increase youths trust on the process.
The president’s speech also covered issue concerning women affairs, water, mines, protection of forests and management, implementation of massive economic projects and customs affairs.
