Landmark intra-Afghan dialogue concludes with peace roadmap

Doha: A major Afghan peace conference involving senior government officials, civil society members, women, and Taliban concluded with a roadmap for peace agreed by all participants.

The non-binding agreement called for the assurance of women's rights, for civilian casualties to be brought to zero, and for educational institutions to be respected.

US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad said early on Tuesday, "It's past midnight and the intra-Afghan Conference on Peace just concluded on a very positive note. I congratulate the participants - Afghan society representatives across generations, senior govt officials, Taliban - for finding common ground."

Afghanistan's former Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Karzai said, "Intra Afghan Dialogue in Doha lasted two and half days. There were frank and emotional exchanges yet respect was visible. All cried when a brave woman shared our collective pain and held everyone accountable.

"While some went into the past to share their grievances, others looked at the future as an opportunity and hope. This dialogue brought us all closer and also gave us a better understanding of the issues at stake. What is crucial is that we were able to related and why wouldn’t we? At the end, we are all AFGHANS."

Nader Nadery, Chairman of the Independent Administrative Reform & Civil Service Commission, said, " It was an important platform for our people to voice their grievances, concerns and aspirations. The Taliban heard many stories of pains and destruction, echoed by majority of the participants.

"Taliban has refused to recognise and respect Afghanistan’s current international commitments, specially those commitments pertaining to women’s rights. We hope these would be subject of discussion and agreement in negotiations with government soon."

Talks between the militants and the US government are also ongoing.