Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani on Thursday said that the unconditional peace offer to the Taliban does not mean the end of the war in the country.



Ghani made the remarks at a ceremony marking the National Day of Afghan Defence and Security Forces.



Referring to his new peace initiative, Ghani said that the peace roadmap is a major plan which would leverage the peace process. However, he reiterated that the Afghan government will never compromise on women’s rights.



Meanwhile, former president Hamid Karzai has also called on the Taliban to enter into peace talks with government in a bid to find a political settlement to the ongoing turmoil in Afghanistan.



This comes after Afghanistan on Wednesday held an international conference on peace in a bid to map the way forward to get the Taliban to denounce violence, endorse the Afghan constitution and enter into purposeful peace negotiations with government to find a political settlement to the ongoing war.



“Peace is our desire. But war is our current situation. Therefore, we should not be negligent from our defense management even for one minute. We are determined to defend ourselves resolutely and continue our vigilance. We must be prepared all the times. One moment of negligence is not acceptable,” said Ghani.



Ghani said that even though the new peace plan will bring internal peace in Afghanistan, the violence will continue.



“Internal wars will come to an end. We and you will prevent the insecurities that stem from the insurgency,” said Ghani.

“Yesterday a clear message was conveyed on behalf of the people of Afghanistan. The people want peace,” said CEO Abdullah Abdullah.



In reaction, a number of political commentators have said that there is the possibility that the Taliban joins the peace process, but they warn that the issue of international mafia, battles between democratic and non-democratic systems will continue and also the terrorist groups will continue their violence in Afghanistan and in the region.

“International mafia and a number of countries who foresee their economic interests in this war will not be prepared to end this war. The war will move on for another ten years if these countries do not want to stop it,” said political analyst Dawar Nadi.



“With consideration of Taliban’s background, the incentives which have been given to them now will further encourage the group. Unilateral incentives will not get us to peace,” said Bashir Ahmad Tayyanj, spokesman for Junbesh-e-Milli party of Afghanistan.

“President’s peace plan is a very comprehensive plan. Taliban must come and enter into talks with the government,” said Nazir Ahmad Hanafi, a member of Jamiat-e-Islami party of Afghanistan.



Although the Taliban has always rejected government's peace proposals, they are now saying the group is not willing to say anything about the government’s peace offer.

