Disquiet over release of Taleban prisoners

Pakistan has released at least seven senior Taleban prisoners but will it help push the peace process forward is the question on everyone’s mind in Afghanistan.

Pakistan has released at least seven senior Taleban prisoners but will it help push the peace process forward is the question on everyone’s mind in Afghanistan.
News of the release of Taleban prisoners in Pakistan coincided with the end of a three-day visit to Islamabad by a delegation from the High Peace Council, which has the onerous responsibility of getting the Taleban to join the peace talks.
Sarwar Jawadi, an expert on Afghan political issues, says there is big gap in relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. “Unfortunately, Pakistan once again tries to (make) use (of) the opportunities and change its tactics while the Afghan government has noreal strategy regarding the region specifically regarding Pakistan.”
There is a long history of mistrust between the two neighbours despite the ceremonial pomp of the frequent meetings between their leaders.
Ahmad Sayidi, a political expert, believes Islamabad’s decision to change foreign policy track is pragmatic. “Pakistan believed that the western forces would not stay in Afghanistan after 2014. But now it has found that 30,000 American soldiers would still stay after 2014,” he said. “It is following a different policy regarding Afghanistan.”
According to Sayidi, Pakistan will be keen to rope in Saudi Arabia and Turkey in peace discussions with Afghanistan. “Whatever Pakistan is following is not a policy rather it is a tactic,” he said. “Pakistan wants to show the US its loyalty and so it takes a step toward peace. On the other hand Pakistan is waiting to see which side (the see-saw of the future) will tilt: (on the side of) peace or conflict.”
Peace moves
Members of the National Assembly have expressed suspicion about Pakistan’s intentions in releasing the imprisoned Taleban though it is still unclear how many of them would be considered high-level officials. There is disquiet over their unconditional release, and its possible impact on attempts to restart the peace talks.
Mohammad Alam Izadyar, first deputy speaker of the House, was dismissive. “The trend of the current peace is entirely vague as all the privileges that are given to opponents are one-side as these groups have not requested anything from the Afghan government,” he said.
Izadyar wished the Taleban had shown a readiness for peace talks. The privileges that would have come their way would have been justly deserved, he added. “We hope the recent trip of the Peace High Council is for the welfare of the Afghan people and can have good effects on peace process. But the Taleban should have showed a readiness for peace talks, and the privileges would be given to them.”
Najiba Husaini, another member of the National Assembly, said while the release of Taleban prisoners was “a good omen”, it is difficult to say if they will “help the Afghan government or not?”
Mohiuddin Monsef, MP from Kapisa province, said there was rightful concern about where the released prisoners would live. “They have been told they can live wherever they want. This is an issue to be concerned about as there is possibility that they would trouble and aggravate the war,” he said.
Opinion on the ground is similarly mixed. Ghulam Farooq of Uruzgan province, said, “If the released Taliban play a role in ensuring peace we will be happy. But if they follow their previous way we would regret the release very much.”