People call for govt unity

Monitoring Desk

BALKH: Residents and provincial members of Balkh province called on the nation’s leaders to end their quarrel and come together for the sake of peace. People hoped that the peace pact with the Taliban would be signed, but the disunity among political leaders has raised their concerns.

“We urged Ghani and Abdullah to put aside their differences, as today is a good day for Afghanistan and it is a day to start intra-Afghan talks,” said Mohammad Rajab, a resident of Balkh province.

“We have had enough bloodshed. Afghanistan will be destroyed. We want the government to compromise,” said Abdul Shakoor, another resident of Balkh.

“The war has destroyed infrastructure in Afghanistan. We, the youth, want lasting peace,” said Asmatullah, another resident of Balkh. The fatigue caused by the war has made peace a top priority.

“Common people and elders want peace. I was in the jihad (against the Soviets)…I hope there is lasting peace in Afghanistan,” said Abdullah.

People believe that signing the pact between the Taliban and the US will lead to intra-Afghan talks, but not if the leaders are fighting. “The politicians should show their commitment for peace, and should compromise,” said Mohsan Danish, a resident of Balkh.

“The people have been at war for the last 20 years. Now we should reach a consensus to bring peace to the country,” said Palwasha Achakzai, civil society activist.

Bibi Nissa another member of the Balkh provincial council said that all political leaders should put aside their grievances and should make a plan for the country. (TOLOnews)