Jamiat-e-Islami, a prominent Afghan political party, has called for the formation of an interim government as this is the only way to reach a peace agreement with the Taliban, Arian news reported.

Addressing a gathering on the occasion of the 41st anniversary of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Ahmad Zia Massoud, the deputy leader of the party, said the current situation isn’t under the control of the government. He proposed convening a Loya Jirga (grand assembly) to decide the structure of an interim government.

President Ghani had earlier rejected calls for the formation of the interim government till an agreement of peace finalized between the Afghan government and the Taliban. He also said former president Najibullah made the mistake of his life by announcing his resignation before any final agreement.

The Afghan government and the Taliban are expected to start the next round of the negotiation on 5 January. For the government, ceasefire and the reduction of violence will be of utmost importance. The Taliban, on the other hand, is unlikely to agree on a ceasefire until the parties agree either on the future political structure or on the formation of an interim government.