Gulbuddin’s party seeking positions in civil and security institutions in peace talks

The Afghan high peace council is busy negotiating peace deal with the delegation of Hezb-e-Islami party sent by Hekmatyar on 17th March.

According to the officials privy to the development, the party is seeking positions in the civil and security institutions of the country.

“At this stage, Hezb-e Islami is seeking to become a government partner by seeking positions in civil and security institutions,” an Afghan official told RFE/RL on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak about the ongoing talks.

The official further added that the government was “listening and evaluating the practicality of their demands,” but that a final decision had not been made.

The Hezb-e-Islami was the first militant group to show a green light towards calls for peace talks following the conclusion of the last Quadrilateral Coordination Group meeting which called on the militant groups to start direct talks with the Afghan government.

“The QCG member states invite all Taliban and other groups to participate through their authorized representatives in the first round of direct peace talks with the Afghan government expected to take place by the first week of March 2016,” according to a joint statement by QCG.

The call by Hezb-e-Islami party to participate in peace talks and sending the party’s delegation to Kabul for the talks was welcomed by the Afghan officials amid hopes that the move would encourage other militant groups to join the talks.

However, the Taliban militants group rejected the offer and said the group will not participate in the peace talks, reiterating its preconditions for the talks which include the complete withdrawal of the foreign forces from the country.