Hizb-e-Islami Afghanistan (Hekmatyar) contacts US for troops pullout

Peshawar, Apr. 18 (ANI): The United States based Hizb-e-Islami Afghanistan (HIA) (Hekmatyar) stalwart Daud Abidi has confirmed holding meetings with high-ranking American officials and handing over a letter of Engineer Hekmatyar addressed to US President Barack Obama.

"Yes, I held three meetings with high ranking US authorities," Daud Abidi remarked in a telephonic conversation with The Nation on Friday. He said that all such meetings were held on behalf of Hizb-e-Islami Afghanistan headed by Engineer Gulbadin Hekmatyar.

Through his talks and Engineer Hekmatyar's letter, the Hizb-e-Islami Afghanistan is insisting on (1) early pullout of foreign troops from Afghanistan, (2) establishment of a neutral interim govt and (3) holding of impartial, free and fair elections.

"So far I am satisfied with such talks," Daud Abidi remarked. However, he was reluctant to give further details in this respect.

He said that at the moment, the Hizbe Islami stalwarts were engaged in dialogues and contacts with all those countries, which were having some influence on the affairs of Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, Gulbadin Hekmatyar's Hizb-e-Islami Afghanistan has initiated efforts for mustering support from internal and external circles in favour of its nominee, Qutab-Ud-Din Hilal, for the slot of the President in the upcoming elections.

Belonging to Pakteya province of Afghanistan, Qutab-Ud-Din Hilal, a soft-spoken person, is very popular among the people of Afghanistan. (ANI)