The second consultative meeting of the State Ministry for Peace held with political parties and trends

The second peace consultation meeting was held with the participation of representatives of 35 parties and political trends with the presence of officials of the State Ministry for Peace.

At the beginning of the meeting, Abdul Khaliq Balakarzai, Deputy Minister for Coordination of Tribes of the State Ministry for Peace, noted the importance of the role of parties in the peace process. He said that taking into consideration the close relationship of political parties with the people, the presence of various scientific, influential, war victims and other strata, can play an important and significant role in the peace process. He added that parties could work with the government to facilitate public participation in the peace process.

Meanwhile, Laila Jafari, Head of Political Organizations and Civil Society Institutions of the State Ministry for Peace, called political parties and trends one of the basic foundations of democracy and said that parties can act responsibly towards peace and play a role in creating harmony and empathy among the people.

She also stressed the importance of participation of political parties in the peace process, saying that parties can be partners with the government in shaping peace and stability.

Afterwards, the leaders and representatives of the political parties expressed their gratitude for the beginning of the consultation process with the parties, and presented their comments and suggestions on the peace process.

Declaring their support for the peace process, they said they would stand by the side of the government.

Emphasizing the importance of the role of political parties in the political processes, the participants called for a bolder participatory role in the peace process. They requested the government to give all parties the opportunity to play a role in the peace process and the government should not limit the consultation process to a few known parties only.

Representatives of political parties stressed that peace requires that the government and the people be committed to safeguarding national interests. They stated that the parties could cooperate in laying the groundwork for peace negotiations.

Involving political parties in the peace process, establishing a peace committee composed of party representatives, presenting practical plans for the peace process by the parties, declaring a ceasefire, preserving the constitution and the achievements of many years, preserving the freedom of speech, maintaining the republican system, supporting the security forces and protection and strengthening of women's rights were among the issues emphasized by the representatives of political parties and trends.

The participants also spoke about the mechanism of cooperation and communication between the State Ministry for Peace and political parties, and called for the establishment of a mechanism that would lead to the establishment of lasting communication and cooperation.

Summing up the program, Abdul Khaliq Balakarzai expressed his gratitude to the participants of the meeting, saying that the State Ministry for Peace has always tried to hold consultative meetings with various parties and strata, and this process continues.

He called for the establishment of a coordination group or center to establish a bilateral link between the parties and the State Ministry for Peace.

Mr. Balakarzai also pledged to unite all the views of the parties and share them with the authorities.

It is noteworthy that this meeting was held following the previous meeting, which was held with 27 other parties to the peace process on August 24, 2020.