Karzai seeks reintegrating Taliban

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has set up a peace committee as part of the reconciliation effort to reintegrate some Taliban militants.

Announcing the measure, Karzai’s spokesman Syamak Herawi said the creation of the High Peace Council would be a “significant step toward peace talks,” in the country, CNN reported on Saturday.

The list of council members will be announced early next week after the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, the spokesperson went on to say.

It is expected to be made up of about 50 people, including influential figures from the opposition and the government, Taliban leaders, and women.

The idea for a peace council was discussed at a traditional gathering or jirga of Afghan and tribal leaders in Kabul in June.

The tribal elders endorsed the plan to engage the Taliban in a reconciliation process. The plan involves offering money and job incentives to insurgents who are willing to renounce violence and sever all ties with terrorist networks.

However, the Taliban have so far shown little interest in the talks proposed by the Afghan leader.

Similar attempts in the past have failed as the Taliban militants insist that all foreign troops must leave the country first.

Earlier this week, General David Petraeus, the commander of US and coalition forces in Afghanistan, said peace talks with some Taliban members have yielded results, but the military does not consider holding peace talks with hard-liners.

The announcement came amid rising militant violence in Afghanistan as more than six people have been killed in attacks across the country in the past 48 hours.