Karzai sent letter to Taliban saying its war kills people

Former Afghan president Hamid Karzai has said the he had sent a letter to the Afghan Taliban insurgents saying their war is killing people and destroying the country. He asked them in his letter to join the peace process.

Karzai highlighted on Thursday Pakistan’s role in achieving peace in Afghanistan and said that without Pakistan, peace would not be achieved.

He also called for the constitutional Loya Jirga to be convened to solve the problems, the country is facing.

Criticising United States President Donald Trump’s new war strategy, Karzai said, “The U.S.’s new war strategy did not carry a message of peace as Pakistan’s role in the peace process was critical and without this, peace will be impossible in both Afghanistan and Pakistan.”

“Pakistan has not been honest in its dealings with Afghanistan over the years and at times comes across as being an ally of the U.S. and at other times as an ally of Afghanistan,” he added.

“We know we have a historical problem with Pakistan,” he said, ANI writes.

He added, “We still want good relations with Pakistan and we want very good relationships with other neighbouring countries.

“A Loya Jirga should be held as soon as possible and must include all stakeholders from politicians, to tribal elders, civil society activists, through to members of the public. The holding of a Loya Jirga is critical and it is extremely important for Afghanistan to project a united front and to resolve the crisis the country is facing,” the former Afghan president said.

“Both the U.S. and Pakistan have done exactly what they want in Afghanistan. I hope that Pakistan knows today that it cannot force Afghanistan (to reach their goals),” he added.

Karzai also condemned the Taliban for their actions in terms of killing civilians. He also called on the country to stand together in order to work towards strong cooperation and friendship with all foreign parties including the U.S., other countries and neighbouring states.