16- Kabul University student Zahra Samadi:
Peace is a necessity of a given society for its development and prosperity. Its absence damages the social fabric. Unfortunately, all past peace efforts have failed to yield any positive result. With this in mind, we can’t be optimistic.
17-Student of law Hamasa Paigir:
Peace is a word that causes us palpitations. A peaceful country has a higher literacy rate, social development and progress. Insecurity in our homeland has brought us misfortunes, including crime and a whole host of threats.
18-Government servant Mohammad Ayaz:
Hopes for peace have recently seen a boost. We want the authorities to work for strengthening peace, no matter what the cost is. Every citizen, young or old, is supportive of reconciliation.
19-NGO worker Abdul Samad:
The government should discharge its responsibility for strengthening peace. All citizens are looking to the rulers for durable harmony. We are hopeful that talks between the government and the Taliban will yield reconciliation, but the insurgents seem to support peace in the country at any cost.
20- Driver Gul Agha:
In the prevailing circumstances, peace and security is the biggest need of the people, who would be able to win bread and butter for their families if there is harmony. Haunted by insecurity, the masses are living in a state of uncertainty. The government must pay heed to the need for peace.
Remaining Baghlan peace voices
7. Trader Faizullah:
The government shout try to enforce peace at all costs, because war impinges on trade in addition to causing other problems. On the other hand, peace brings a good fortune to traders and economic prosperity to the country.
8. Pul-i-Khumri resident Humaira:
War has claimed the life of my husband, leaving me and my three children in penury. If my spouse were alive, I would not need to sell small things in the bazaar to eke out a living.
9. Shopkeeper Baz Mohammad:
The war has badly affected agriculture in Baghlan-i-Markazi, Dand Ghori and Dahna-i-Ghori districts, where crops have been harmed considerably. Previously, we harvested up to 70,000 kg of wheat and rice annually. But this year, the yield declined by more than a half.
10. Mason Mohammad Daud:
Dozens of workers sit in the Pul-i-Khumri Square every morning, looking for customers. But most of them return home empty-handed due to the conflict. If there had been peace, all of them would have been able to find jobs and live happily.
Remaining Khost peace voices
8. Khost City resident Mohammad Qasim:
Many hope for an end to the war and participation in the reconstruction of their country. The government should preserve achievements of the past decade during peace talks by setting the militants mutually beneficial conditions.
9. Dweller Abdul Wali:
The Afghans can no longer put up with war, bombings and attacks. If the government sincerely desires peace parleys with the Taliban, it should mount pressure on the international community to force Pakistan into bringing militant leaders to the negotiating table.
10. Shopkeeper Nisarullah:
The key to peace in Afghanistan lies with America and Pakistan. Whenever they stop aiding the militants, peace will come to our country. Instead of reaching out to the Taliban, the Afghan government should talk peace with senior US and Pakistani officials, who should be convinced into ending the conflict.