Non-violent HIA factions welcome Hekmatyar’s decision

KABUL (Pajhwok): Breakaway and non-violent factions of the Hezb-i-Islamic Afghanistan (HIA) on Saturday welcomed the Gulbuddin Hekmatyar-led HIA’s decision to join the peace process.

The Hekmatyar-led HIA is a militant group fighting against the govement, but there are three other factions led by Juma Khan Hamdard, Wahidullah Sabawon and Abbdul Hadi Arghandiwal.

The Hekmaryar group few days ago announced its participation in the peace process and a two-member delegation of the group, led by Karim Amin, has been in Kabul. The delegation has met with the High Peace Council chairman Pir Sayed Ahmad Gilani and other members.

HIA United Afghanistan faction head Wahidullah Sabawon called the meetings between the HPC and the Hekmatyar’s representatives as a positive development.

He told Pajhwok Afghan News presidential election should be held on its due time for the sake of a stable political system. “The group which has joined the peace process should be welcomed and encouraged.”

He said the govement should intensify its efforts at peace and pave the ground for opposition groups to enter the dialogue process.

Sabawon praised the HPC’s efforts for peace under Gilani leadership and called as important the talks held between the HPC and the Hekmatyar-led HIA.

He believed Hekmatyar’s decision to join the peace process would encourage other groups to follow suit. He said Hekmatyar was a recognized personality and the govement should try to work for peace and justice.

The HIA group, led by former goveor Juma Khan Hamdard, also welcomed the joining of peace process by the Hekmatyar group.

A spokesman for Hamdard party, Roohullah Samoon, told Pajhwok Afghan News that their faction welcomed intra-Afghan dialogue aimed at winning peace and considered it a positive step towards ending the conflict.

“We have always opposed the war which is not a solution. We consider as a positive step intra-Afghan understanding and the peace process.”

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