In touch with Taliban for peace talks: Ex-Afghan warlord

Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, the leader of Hezb-e-Islami group, said on Thursday that he is in touch with the top Taliban leadership to convince the group to join peace talks.

Hekmatyar told media here that the Hezb-e-Islami strongly supports the peace process and will stand with those who are willing to join the peace process, Khaama Press reported.

However, he did not say if any developments have been made in his efforts to encourage the group to come to the negotiating table.

In other parts of his speech, Hekmatyar urged the political figures and parties to participate in talks in a bid to find a solution to the ongoing violence and crisis.

The Hezb-e-Islami leader further added that the political parties should adopt the strategy of political rivalry rather encouraging armed rivalries.

According to Hekmatyar, his party is not supporting the repeat of the bitter past experiences and the political figures must refrain from provocative remarks.

Hekmatyar also added that he will prevent the collapse of the current regime and any attempts to bring changes in it, insisting that any changes should be brought through legal ways and with the consent of all parties involved.

--IANS

ahm/dg