Pakistan Desires to Resume Intra-Afghan Peace Talks Soon
On Tuesday, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi listened to a Taliban delegation that was led by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the director of the Taliban’s Doha-based political office, and later said, “I’m optimistic of progress in the near future despite the problems and the presence of spoilers. Hopefully, a way out would be found.”
credit: Sebastian Zwez / CC
Pakistan is certain that intra-Afghan dialogue could help in regional stability, however, the peace process remains stalled over disagreements on a prisoner exchange.
This meeting was also attended by the head of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Lt General Faiz Hameed. Several analysts say that ISI, a spy agency, has close ties with armed groups in Afghanistan.
Pakistan is among the three countries that recognized the Taliban’s government when it ruled Kabul between 1996 and 2001. This is the second Taliban visit to Pakistan. Last year in October, a delegation led by Mullah Baradar visited Islamabad.
The main purpose of this meeting was to focus on recent developments in the Afghan peace process and the assembling of Intra-Afghan talks. Other issues, including Afghan refugees, were also discussed in the meeting.
If we trace the reasons for the slowed Intra-Afghan peace talks, the primary factor appears to be the delay in the release of the remaining 320 Taliban prisoners by the Kabul government.
Afghanistan was to release 5,000 Taliban fighters in exchange for its 1,000 security personnel held by the insurgents under an agreement signed between the United States and Taliban in February.
The Foreign Office said that FM Shah Mehmood Qureshi emphasized the need for implementing the US-Taliban agreement entirely – indicating that Afghanistan is not living up to its part of the deal.
Many diplomats say Pakistan, a leading regional active player, has been playing a crucial role for a reduction in violence and soothing the way for peace talks.
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