Hizb-e-Islami Afghanistan chief Hikmatyar agrees to give up armed resistance

The former Afghan Prime Minister and chief of a key insurgent group Hizb-e-Islami Afghanistan (HIA) Gulbadin Hikmatyar has agreed to reconcile with the government and disassociate from armed resistance in the wake of successful mediation on the part of his close aides.

According to the Express Tribune, mediation started after President Ashraf Ghani came into power replacing Hamid Karzai who governed from 2001 to 2014.

In his national reconciliation policy, Karzai had established contacts with Hekmatyar a decade back but Hekmatyar and his aides continued their opposition.

Ashraf Ghani, during his election campaign mustered support of Hekmatyar's close aide and deputy leader of the HIA Qutubuddin Hilal.

Hilal was also among the aspirants for the top slot and had bagged around 2,00,000 votes in the first round of presidential elections.

Hekmatyar is expected to return to Kabul by the end of 2014 as the U.S. led allies complete their withdrawal from Afghanistan.