KABUL (Pajhwok): President Ashraf Ghani on Monday termed recent developments, including the death of Taliban’s supreme leader Mullah Mohammad Omar, as an opportunity for a better tomorrow and the end of a bloody period of time.
The president expressed this optimism while talking to government officials and media professionals through a video link from Germany, where he recently underwent foot surgery.
KABUL (Pajhwok): Pakistan is a dexterous wheeler-dealer, not a reliable partner in the mission to bring reconciliation to Afghanistan, participants of a huge gathering in Kabul agreed.
Arranged by Da Saba Fikr (Concern for Tomorrow), a non-profit civil society organisation, the meeting was attended by a large number of social workers, analysts, peace activists and ordinary people.
Dr. Faiz Mohammad Zaland, a university teacher and political commentator, and High Peace Council Secretary Aminuddin Muzaffari, also a former Senate secretary, were among the speakers.
KABUL (Pajhwok): The Afghanistan Congress Party (ACP) on Sunday announced support the ongoing peace talks and urged the government to directly talk with Pakistan to refrain from the country’s internal affairs.
The first round of face-to-face talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government was held in Islamabad last month. Both sides agreed to hold second round of talks, however, it was delayed following the death of Taliban’s leader Mullah Muhammad Omar.
KABUL (Pajhwok): Terming peace talks with Taliban a wastage of time, the Afghanistan Solidarity Party (ASP) on Sunday vehemently condemned the militants group and its agenda.
The first round of face-to-face talks between Taliban and government was held in Islamabad last month. Both sides agreed to meet again. But the meeting was delayed following the death of Mullah Muhammad Omar.
In a gathering organised in the Shahr-i-Naw Park in Kabul, the workers of ASP condemned the policies of Taliban and dubbed the slain leader as a traitor.
KABUL (Pajhwok): A brother of Taliban’s late supreme leader Mullah Mohammad Omar on Sunday said his family had pledged allegiance to no one and was not ready to do so until differences existed in the insurgency.
Mullah Abdul Manan said this in a video clip, a copy of which is available with Pajhwok Afghan News. Four days ago, the Taliban announced their supreme leader Mullah Omar had died of sickness. Later, the movement elected Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour as the group’s new leader.
KABUL (Pajhwok): Some analysts say the death of Taliban’s supreme leader Mullah Mohammad Umar Mujahid would leave negative impact on the nascent peace talks, but others believe that his demise would not derail the process.
Political affairs analyst, Younis Fakoor, said Taliban would explore new ways and focus more attention to make the negotiations process a result-oriented one under their new leadership.
WASHINGTON (Pajhwok): The White House Friday confirmed the death of Taliban leader Mullah Omar, saying it represented a chance of progress on the path to a stable and secure Afghanistan.
“The US Intelligence Community assesses that Mullah Mohammed Omar, the former leader of the Afghan Taliban, is dead,” White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said in a late-night statement.
KABUL (Pajhwok): The Afghan Taliban’s new leader, Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour, has appealed for unity in the insurgency and has asked the rebels to end their internal differences.
The Taliban through a statement had confirmed their supreme leader Mullah Omar died of sickness some time ago. However, it remains unclear when the founder of Taliban movement died.
The Afghan government had claimed Mullah Omar died in Pakistani port city of Karachi in a hospital two or three years ago. But The Taliban had said Mullah Omar never visited Pakistan even for a single day.
KABUL (Pajhwok): The High Peace Council (HPC) on Saturday called the demise of Taliban's supreme leader Mullah Mohammad Umar Mujahid as an opportunity to ensure peace and stability in the war-torn country.
Speaking to reporters, Abdul Hakim Mujahid, HPC acting head, asked the government to make use of the situation and push for stepping up the peace negotiations with Taliban.
Kabul (Pajhwok): Postponed after Mullah Omar's demise, the second round of peace talks between Afghan officials and Taliban is expected soon, a US official said on Friday.
Daniel F. Feldman, US special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, told a press conference he did not think the peace process would get further delayed.
Although he would not give an exact date for the talks, the envoy assured the US -- following demands from Pakistan and Afghanistan -- would attend the negotiations as observer.