Statement by Political Office regarding false representatives at Peace Process in Turkey

Some media outlets reported that three days earlier the representatives of Taliban and Kabul regime with intermediation of Hizb-e-Islami had gathered in Turkey to discuss peace in Afghanistan. Reports also stated that this was the third such meeting while the two previous meetings had been kept secret. A participant of this gathering introduced as Mullah Abdul Rauf told the media that all three meetings were introductory and initial phase talks.

The spokesman of Islamic Emirate categorically rejected these reports and said that the Islamic Emirate had not sent any representatives to the meeting. He made it clear that this is a fake process and sham individuals and peace cannot be achieved in Afghanistan through such fake processes and individuals, rather they are detrimental to this cause.

Since the media claimed that an individual at the meeting by the name of Rahmatullah Wardag has ties with the Political Office of Islamic Emirate therefore the Political Office wants to make it clear to our countrymen and the world that Rahmatullah Wardag does not have any direct or indirect ties with the Political Office and neither is he a representative of the Islamic Emirate. This is an intelligence project that seeks to undermine and defame real peace efforts in Afghanistan and pave the way for prolonging the occupation.

It is must be stated that the Islamic Emirate is a proponent of a true peace process and has tasked the Political Office with finding a peaceful solution to the Afghan quandary. The Islamic Emirate has a clear agenda of end of occupation and establishment of an intra-Afghan Islamic government. For this purpose the Islamic Emirate (through the Political Office) has called on all sides who have the ability of finding a solution to come to the table for talks. The other side unfortunately has yet to develop a strategy for peace, is pushing empty rhetoric and utilizing fake peace processes, which is neither the solution nor can it heal our nation.

We once again call upon everyone to work towards true peace in Afghanistan and refrain from harming the noble word of peace with excuses.

Political Office of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

29/04/1439 Hijri Lunar

26/10/1396 Hijri Solar                    16/01/2018 Gregorian