Afghan President requests Sami-ul-Haq to arrange peace talks with Afghan Taliban

PESHAWAR: Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has sought assistance of the Maulana Sami-ul-Haq to play a role to pave way and arrange peace talks with the Afghan Taliban.

In this regard, the Afghan Ambassador Dr. Hazrat Umar Zakhilwal called on the leader of the eponymous faction of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam and the head of the Difa-e-Pakistan council. This is the second meeting of the Afghan envoy with Maulana Sami-ul-Haq in the last few days.

Both had an elaborate discussion about the security situation in Afghanistan. During the meeting, the Afghan envoy arranged a telephonic conversation of Maulana Sami-ul-Haq with President Ghani.

During the extensive call which last half an hour, the Afghan President commended the services of Sami-ul-Haq and the Dar-ul-Uloom Haqqania institute. He said that Maulana Sami-ul-Haq is not just a revered figure for the Afghan Taliban but the entire Afghan nation, and he himself views Haq as a mentor.

Maulana Sami-ul-Haq appreciated the remarks of President Ghani, and said that it is their mutual responsibility to ensure peace in Afghanistan and Pakistan. However, it was the foremost responsibility of the Afghan government to play a role for peace and security in their country.

He said that it was necessary that Afghanistan should receive compensation for the damaging effects of the decade long war which has ravaged the nation. He said that the main concern was to rid of the foreign occupation forces and the independence of Afghanistan, for which the Afghan government and the entire nation would have to play a pivotal role, so that the sacrifices of thousands of people do not go in vain.

Maulana Sami-ul-Haq said that it was necessary not to succumb to foreign pressure particularly from the United States to ensure that peace talks are successful. He indicated to take several steps as a goodwill gesture which would reduce hostilities between the government and the Afghan Taliban. The Afghan envoy also called on the Afghan Taliban to take similar steps.

Sami-ul-Haq said that foreign powers do not want to see peace and stability in Afghanistan and Pakistan. He said that the increasing hostility and the relations of Afghanistan with India have raised concerns among the people of Pakistan. He said that the enemies of Islam and Pakistan would benefit from hostile relations between the two nations.