Talks Between Afghan Officials and Gulbaddin Hikmatyar

“As the Afghan foreign minister meets his US counterpart in Washington, Al-Jazeera has learnt of secret talks between Taliban-linked mediators and Afghan officials, which could lead to wider negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban. The deal involves the return to Afghanistan of Gulbadin Hekmatyar, the former prime minister, whose forces fight alongside the Taliban. It involves a complex and delicate round of meetings from the heart of Afghanistan to Dubai, London and Saudi Arabia.” Watch the whole story at the buttom of the page.

I think Taliban, Gulbadin Hikmatyar and all the neglected trouble making groups should be given a chance to participate in political procedures. Hikmatyar’s Hizbe-Islami, one of the dominant Jihadi groups during Afghan-Soviet war, has an immense amount of support among Afghan population. There are no Taliban in Kapisa, Konar, Herat, Farah, Nuristan and Nimroz provinces but these are the Hizbe-Islami fighters who are emerging threat to Afghan, NATO/ISAF and Coalition forces. If Hikmatyar joins the political process it will not only have long term benefits but will put an end to this.

Currently, warlords are majority in Afghan parliament and enjoy brawny power in the government. The questions is if these warlords, who has the same views as Taliban and were the counterparts of Hikmatyar and Mullah Omar-Taliban supreme leader, can be a part of the government why not the Taliban?

An old Afghan proverb says; “Only dialogues (not weapons) solve problems.” I am sure these insurgents will lay down their weapons and join the political process if dealt with care. We have a good experience of having Taliban’s high ranking officials in parliament. They are not sabotaging any democratic process, US agenda or Afghan government. I believe the rest of the Taliban and other factions also deserve a chance for the greater good of our beloved country.

Here is Al-Jazeera's report: