Gov’t committed to political solution to end conflict: Ghani

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AT-KABUL: After offering a unilateral cease-fire in the war which later was reciprocated by the Taliban, President Ashraf Ghani now says that the government will be committed to a political solution to end the conflict with the militant movement.

On Sunday addressing the 18th meeting of the Council of Heads of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states in China, he said, “Having forged national consensus on peace, we are firmly committed to a political solution to conflict with the Taliban.”

“Our unconditional peace offer is comprehensive and we are pleased that yesterday the Taliban accepted our ceasefire,” Ghani added. He noted with pleasure international partners’ steadfast support for a stable, peaceful, democratic and self-reliant Afghanistan.

US President Donald Trump’s South Asia strategy had been a game-changer in creating conditions for peace and stability, Ghani believed.

“We are witnessing an emerging regional consensus on the need for a stable and connected Afghanistan. On behalf of our people and government, let me thank the leaders around the table for the momentum generated …”

Afghanistan’s potential as a regional energy trade hub was no longer a pipedream but a rapidly unfolding reality, Ghani said, adding weekly progress was made on expanding the national grid.

To overcome inherited problems of corruption, governance and limited utilisation of human and natural capital, he said they were accelerating the implementation of comprehensive reforms.

“Democracy depends on choice of leadership through credible, inclusive, free and fair election and we are fully committed to holding parliamentary elections in 2018 and presidential election in 2019.”