‘Some politicians responded positively to return offer’

KABUL (Tolo News): The commission of “Return of and Communications with Former Afghan Officials and Political Figures” said that some former government officials and politicians responded positively to the offer of the commission.
A spokesman for the commission, Ahmadullah Wassiq, said that the Afghan politicians returning to the country can continue their political activities under the structure of the current Afghan government. “The contacts have made with some provincial governors and members of the parliament of the former government. I am optimistic that these people will talk with the media in this regard,” said Ahmadullah Wassiq, a spokesman for the commission.
He said that eight academic figures including medical doctors and experts returned back to Afghanistan. According to Wassiq, dozens of Afghan politicians and former officials have filled out forms to return to the country.
“We seven people come together. Some of the academic figures came earier. We are more than 200 people,” said a returnee. Earlier, some politicians downplayed the establishment of the commission as symbolic. “The establishment of the Commission of the Return of and Communications with Former Afghan Officials and Political Figures should have a specific roadmap to pave the way for the return of politicians and influential figures,” said Sayed Haroon Hashimi, a political analyst.
“They should try to assure the political figures,” said Barna Salehi, a political analyst. The US special envoy for Afghanistan, Thomas West, recently kicked off a visit to the region and neighboring countries, where he has so far met several Afghan politicians, journalists and representatives of civil society. Based on some reports, West arrived in Tajikistan, where he is expected to meet Ahmad Massoud, the leader of the National Resistance Front.