Peace door no longer open for all militant: Ghani

Monitoring Desk

KABUL: Addressing the general session of the High Peace Co-uncil meeting on Saturday, President Ghani said the peace door for those involved in the recent attacks in Af-ghanistan is no longer open and that government will hunt the attackers down no matter where they are hiding.

“The door of peace for those behind the tragedy (in Afghanistan) is closed,” he said.

“We will chase them (militants) anywhere they hide. Afghanistan will take revenge, but wisely.”

He said the severity of the Kabul attacks this month was because of the success of the High Peace Council, not the failure of Afghans.

He said the Taliban at war with Afghanistan, those killing the people, are not part of Afghanistan’s society and that recent attacks in Kabul have defined this route.

Ghani said war is the only option against those who carried out such heinous crimes. But peace was in the interests of the nation, he said.

Ghani added that the issues discussed at Saturday’s conference will be shared with the international community at the Kabul Process conference – which will be held later this month.

At Saturday’s event, Mohammad Karim Khalili, the head of the High Peace Council, said a negotiations process is the only way to ensure enduring peace in Afghanistan.

He said people have consensus on two issues: the need for peace and reaching peace through an Afghan-led process.

He added that one of the reasons that people align themselves with the Taliban is because of shortcomings in government. He recommends government bring reforms so as to prevent people from joining militant groups.

Khalili stated that the HPC will start negotiations with anti-government armed militants who want to negotiate.

He commended the Afghan security forces for defending the country against threats but said a peace process was the only way to achieve lasting peace.