1. Eng. Humayun Yaqubzada:
So far peace talks have not been result-oriented. Meetings with militants have been based on deals, as some fighters joined the peace process by surrendering Pakistan-made pistols. But they returned to the battlefield with rocket-propelled grenades and machine-guns. They have been slitting the throats of our children, with the peace council failing to produce any result. Negotiating with the enemy from a position of weakness has been sterile.
2. New City resident Tajuddin:
Initially, the process was effective. However, it has lately fizzled out either because the peace council had no office or had been unsuccessful here. The council’s activities are almost negligible and its inefficiency is an open secret.
3. Balkhab dweller Mohammad Hussain Nazari:
The peace process has made no impact in Sar-i-Pul, where the committee staffers are only drawing salaries and enjoying other privileges. It has got nothing to show in terms of achievements.
4. Government servant Syed Baseer Sadaat:
Over the past 14 years of turbulence in Sar-i-Pul, we have often heard of two slogans regarding peace and combating graft. With the exception of a lot of money spent in the name of enforcing peace and curbing corruption, we have seen no tangible progress.
5. Human rights commission representative Maghfirat Samimi:
The role of the council in enforcing peace or reaching out to the insurgents has been far from satisfactory in the province. We will see what the council delegation achieves during its trip to Pakistan. As a result of the peace negotiators’ efforts, some militants in Sar-i-Pul have renounced violence.
6. Provincial capital inhabitant Noor Ahmad Kamal Oghli:
Not only in Sar-i-Pul but across the whole country, the process has become synonymous with granting concessions to the insurgents in return for ruthlessly shedding the blood of innocent civilians. The reconciliation drive is a forlorn hope of the central and local authorities. Peace cannot be brought about unilaterally.
7. Shopkeeper Haji Abul Hassan:
The High Peace Council, I believe, has done nothing more than giving concessions to a handful of individuals, inflicting a heavy loss on the public exchequer. I think the best option is to dissolve the council.
8. Store owner Hayatullah Hafizi:
The HPC activities are not satisfactory, because its head and members have been appointed on the basis of nepotism. Its chief ought to be a neutral and apolitical individuals, but we know the battles here are among political groups. Efforts should be made to utilise the services of impartial and influential people in this regard.
9. Provincial capital resident Mohammad Dehqan:
The HPC has been incompetent in Sar-i-Pul, like other parts of the country. With each passing day, more and more people are swelling the ranks of militants.
10. Chaharbagh dweller Abdul Bashir:
The HPC role has been problematic in enforcing peace and instead of bringing security, it has been instrumental in producing more Taliban.
