No Pretext for Taliban to Continue Fighting: Ghani

Addressing a ceremony on Sunday in Nimruz province, President Ashraf Ghani assured that peace will be ensured in Afghanistan and that there is no pretext for the Taliban to continue fighting in the country.

 Emphasizing on bringing peace in the country, Ghani said that the Taliban has no excuse to continue the ongoing war and that they should respect the people’s call and stop fighting.

He stressed that the Consultative Loya Jirga will be formed to handover the ownership of peace to the people.

Separately, the president said that the upcoming presidential elections will be held on scheduled time. He instructed to the government institutions to observe “impartiality” during the election process.

“The elections will be held on its set date and that no government institution has the right to intervene,” Ghani said.

This comes the U.S. and the Taliban representatives are expected to hold a fresh round of peace talks in Doha, the capital of Qatar tomorrow.

Sources close to the Taliban told Ariana News that both sides will clarify the issues including the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan, a comprehensive ceasefire and a guarantee that Afghanistan would not be used against the United States and its allies.

According to the sources, Doha talks will also focus on ending the Taliban suicide attacks and the U.S. air raids.