In the midst of increasing conflict, the government of national unity is signaling a return to peace talks.
The president’s office has announced there will be a new road map which has the support of Pakistan, China and the US.
In the midst of increasing conflict, the government of national unity is signaling a return to peace talks.
The president’s office has announced there will be a new road map which has the support of Pakistan, China and the US. As the year came to an end, Pakistan’s powerful army chief General Raheel Sharif travelled to Kabul for talks with President Ashraf Ghani. This was on the heels of the Afghan president’s visit to Islamabad for the Heart of Asia conference on Afghanistan.
The Af-Pak governments have agreed to continue talking to those in the Taleban willing to work for peace and reconciliation.
Both sides wish the groups opposed to peace would be reached within a framework that is agreeable to them.
The first meeting to draft a peace map will be held this month. It will aim to strengthen confidence between Pakistan and Afghanistan. A statement issued by the Pakistan military on General Sharif’s return states, “Despite the complexity and problems linked to the lengthy presence of 3 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan and the close relations between tribes of both countries along the border, both sides are determined that neither would let its territory be used against the other country.”
The general had separate meetings with Chief Executive Dr Abdullah Abdullah but details have not been shared with the media. Jawed Faisal, Abdullah’s deputy spokesperson, said the government was ready for talks but the end to the war must be a condition. Armed Taleban must commit to stop killing innocent Afghans when the peace talks start, he adds.
There have been a series of attacks: on the Indian consulate in Mazar-e-Sharif, suicide attacks in Kabul, attacks on Iranian, Indian and Pakistani consulates in Nangarhar, the continuation of violence in Nangarhar and Helmand.
Writer and analyst Navid Elham believes there should be strong pressure on Islamabad to persevere down the peace path. A Kabul-resident Jamila says financial sanctions should be imposed. “Even if small groups get ready to commit to talks, peace would not be effective,” warns Elham. “Pakistan could walk out of the talks. What is important is pressure from the international community, particularly from US and China, on Pakistan,” he urges.
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