Hassan Khan
Islamabad remained quite busy on Tuesday December 4, 2018. Two
important delegations were in the town to discuss and carry forward the Afghan
peace process initiated by the US with the Taliban militia leaders. The same
day Islamabad also announced that her foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi
will be visiting Kabul next week.
important delegations were in the town to discuss and carry forward the Afghan
peace process initiated by the US with the Taliban militia leaders. The same
day Islamabad also announced that her foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi
will be visiting Kabul next week.
Of the two delegations, the most important was the senior
Taliban members from Qatar office, as reports say, visit to Pakistan. Reports say
the team was called by the militia supreme leader Mulla Haibatullah for, what analysts
say, consultation. The team would also share the progress so far made in
meetings with US administration.
Taliban members from Qatar office, as reports say, visit to Pakistan. Reports say
the team was called by the militia supreme leader Mulla Haibatullah for, what analysts
say, consultation. The team would also share the progress so far made in
meetings with US administration.
The other important team was of the US administration led by
Washington top point-man for Afghan peace process, Zalmi Khalilzad. Zalmi is primarily
tasked to broker a deal with Taliban followed the visiting Taliban delegation
to Islamabad – that reached here a day earlier. Both delegations seem to be the
follow up of letter written by US administration to Pakistan seeking her
role in the Afghan peace process. Zamli is meeting with Islamabad top political and
security leadership and will be sharing the points over which some progress has been
made so far with Taliban members of the militia political Qatar in office. All efforts are aimed at ending the decades long
Afghan conflict.
Washington top point-man for Afghan peace process, Zalmi Khalilzad. Zalmi is primarily
tasked to broker a deal with Taliban followed the visiting Taliban delegation
to Islamabad – that reached here a day earlier. Both delegations seem to be the
follow up of letter written by US administration to Pakistan seeking her
role in the Afghan peace process. Zamli is meeting with Islamabad top political and
security leadership and will be sharing the points over which some progress has been
made so far with Taliban members of the militia political Qatar in office. All efforts are aimed at ending the decades long
Afghan conflict.
The visit of Zalmi Khalilzad was public and announced
affairs.While, the visit of Taliban delegation led by Qatar office top boss
Abass Stanakzai, was a secret affair and not
confirmed officially. Keeping the Taliban leadership’s visit secret from media
and public was quite obvious.
affairs.While, the visit of Taliban delegation led by Qatar office top boss
Abass Stanakzai, was a secret affair and not
confirmed officially. Keeping the Taliban leadership’s visit secret from media
and public was quite obvious.
Reports say the Taliban delegation was here on the
instructions of Taliban supreme leader Mulla Haibatullah. The delegation was
called by Mulla Haibatullah for consultations with militia senior shura members.
Mulla Haibatullah wanted to hear directly from the members of his
negotiation team the progress so far made in talks and meeting with US and other countries.
instructions of Taliban supreme leader Mulla Haibatullah. The delegation was
called by Mulla Haibatullah for consultations with militia senior shura members.
Mulla Haibatullah wanted to hear directly from the members of his
negotiation team the progress so far made in talks and meeting with US and other countries.
The Taliban members are scheduled to be meeting with Mulla
Haibatulla and other shura members of the militia either somewhere in Pakistan
or in Afghanistan- in both cases near Pak-Afghan border.
Haibatulla and other shura members of the militia either somewhere in Pakistan
or in Afghanistan- in both cases near Pak-Afghan border.
The peace agreements with insurgents in Afghanistan is fast
taking a shape. One thing is disturbing – that is Zalmi Khalilzad extraordinary haste
in brokering a deal with Taliban insurgents. He is seems to be playing a typical
‘businessman’ wanting to strike a business-like peace deal with Taliban. He may
be. Because he has target to meet. His boss, Donald Trump desires of “getting
the hill out of Afghanistan” as soon as possible.
taking a shape. One thing is disturbing – that is Zalmi Khalilzad extraordinary haste
in brokering a deal with Taliban insurgents. He is seems to be playing a typical
‘businessman’ wanting to strike a business-like peace deal with Taliban. He may
be. Because he has target to meet. His boss, Donald Trump desires of “getting
the hill out of Afghanistan” as soon as possible.
The visit of Taliban delegation and Zalmi Khalilzad to
Islamabad are the immediate follow up of the letter, the US president Donald Trump,
wrote to Pakistan leadership seeking Islamabad's role in the peace talks that
has already begun with Taliban. Trump has admired Pakistan role in Afghanistan
and appreciated sacrifices offered by Pakistanis in war against terror.
Islamabad are the immediate follow up of the letter, the US president Donald Trump,
wrote to Pakistan leadership seeking Islamabad's role in the peace talks that
has already begun with Taliban. Trump has admired Pakistan role in Afghanistan
and appreciated sacrifices offered by Pakistanis in war against terror.
What US wants from Pakistan?
In Pakistan analysts believed as US and Taliban are already
in contacts with each others and have a number of meetings in Qatar and UAE and
other cities. Then what the US wants from Pakistan. Not mere bringing Taliban
to the negotiating table. But more. For US the big challenge is to convince
Taliban include Afghan government in talks process. And announcement of immediate
ceasefire by militia fighters.
in contacts with each others and have a number of meetings in Qatar and UAE and
other cities. Then what the US wants from Pakistan. Not mere bringing Taliban
to the negotiating table. But more. For US the big challenge is to convince
Taliban include Afghan government in talks process. And announcement of immediate
ceasefire by militia fighters.
The US is interested in Pakistan to come forward and press Taliban to accept – inclusion of Afghan government representatives and a ceasefire
and continue talking.
and continue talking.
Pakistan has no doubt a role to play in resolution of Afghan
conflict. The Afghans and US officials religiously believed Pakistan still have
an influence over Taliban leadership. A fact Pakistan is denying. Islamabad’s
influence is very limited over the militia leadership, Pakistan claims.
conflict. The Afghans and US officials religiously believed Pakistan still have
an influence over Taliban leadership. A fact Pakistan is denying. Islamabad’s
influence is very limited over the militia leadership, Pakistan claims.
This is immaterial how much influence Pakistan have over the
militia leadership. Important point is Pakistan must play a sincere role in peace
negotiation. No doubt, if Pakistan play its part sincerely and positively approach
the Taliban with a positive mindset Taliban can be influenced.
militia leadership. Important point is Pakistan must play a sincere role in peace
negotiation. No doubt, if Pakistan play its part sincerely and positively approach
the Taliban with a positive mindset Taliban can be influenced.
Now as Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi is also
visiting Kabul next week, Qureshi shall take into confidence Afghan leadership
into confidence what Pakistan intended to do in ending the conflict. Better
Pakistan play its ball with Afghan administration. Forgetting the past
experiences, Islamabad be better in a strong supportive role.
visiting Kabul next week, Qureshi shall take into confidence Afghan leadership
into confidence what Pakistan intended to do in ending the conflict. Better
Pakistan play its ball with Afghan administration. Forgetting the past
experiences, Islamabad be better in a strong supportive role.
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