It is good news that after 18 years of war in Afghanistan, the United States and the Taliban have signed a historical deal that can pave the way for ultimate peace in Afghanistan (“Historic deal signed by US, Taliban on Afghanistan’s future,” Feb.29, Gulf Today).

Afghanistan is a beautiful country. The Afghan people are so talented and very hard-working. But unfortunately for many decades Afghanistan is the epicentre of war.  According to reports President Donald Trump urged the Afghan people to embrace the chance for a new future, saying the deal held out the possibility of ending the 18-year conflict.”

“If the Taliban and the government of Afghanistan live up to these commitments, we will have a powerful path forward to end the war in Afghanistan and bring our troops home,” he said on the eve of the event in Doha. The signing could help President Donald Trump fulfil a key campaign promise to extract America from its “endless wars.” Under the agreement, the US will begin withdrawing thousands of troops in exchange for Taliban commitments to prevent Afghanistan from being a launchpad for terrorist attacks.

It is the most expensive war ever America fought in the world.

But after 18 years of deadly war both the United States and the Afghan Taliban reached a point that the war is not a solution to any conflict so they agreed to sit on the negotiating table.

Because of the negotiations between the United States of America and the Taliban it became possible to move forward slowly and carefully towards ultimate peace in Afghanistan. A peaceful Afghanistan is a guarantee for a peaceful region.

Both the parties have to respect the deal and fulfil all the points that made it possible to sign the pact between both the stakeholders.

It is also a good decision by the Afghan Taliban that they halted all military operations across the country. Today everyone in Afghanistan is happy. Afghan people have their right to live peacefully and prosper.

Darya Khan
By email