President Ashraf Ghani on Saturday held the Taliban responsible for the ongoing violence in Afghanistan in which at least 200 to 600 people are killed every day.
Addressing a gathering in Khost province, Ghani asked the nation to stay united in support for independence, the republic and coexistence.
“The Taliban are responsible for the continuation of the war,” he said. “They should be asked whom they are fighting for? Who will benefit if Afghanistan is ruined and if Afghans are killed?”
They should also be asked that are they fighting for Afghanistan, or they want the country to be controlled by others?
“If you love Afghanistan, promise me you have not accepted the Durand Line, promise me not to change Afghanistan from a roundabout to a one-way road, promise me you will not sell Afghanistan’s waters to others, promise me you will not serve others,” President Ghani said.
He said that no one has doubt in where the Taliban come from and where they are living.
“We want peace with everyone…. If 200 to 400 to 600 Afghans are killed every day, who will benefit from this? … I will tell you about Arghandab. They destroyed three bridges that cost at least $15 million, they bombed 1,000 homes,” Ghani said.
“They are expected to sit with each other in future, then why shouldn’t this happen today,” he continued.
“Nothing is built through disunity,” Ghani said. “If we started war, I am telling you they will be blamed for it,” Ghani said.
“The Afghan government has made lots of efforts to move the peace process forward and wants peace, but the Taliban continued violence,” Ghani said. “They (Taliban) should attend talks and don’t ruin their country on the dictation of outsiders.”
He mentioned that wars have not been lost on the battlefields, but due to rumors and propaganda, indirectly referring to the recent loss of territory by Afghan forces to the Taliban.
“I call on all Afghans to become united like the Khost residents and stand firm; otherwise, you will be responsible for six generations,” Ghani added.
The president “Americans are withdrawing from Afghanistan. Did I ask them (the US) any day to remain here? Didn’t I say seven years ago that they will leave? Didn’t I send letter to President Trump two years ago to leave?”
Taliban have not shown reaction to these remarks so far.
