PROSPECTS for a final and durable political settlement of the longstanding Afghan conflict have brightened further with the signing of an accord between the Afghan Government and Taliban codifying rules and procedures for their negotiations on seemingly ticklish issues of a political roadmap and a comprehensive ceasefire. The agreement lays out the way forward for further discussion and is considered a breakthrough because it will allow negotiators to move on to more substantive issues.
It is a welcome development in the backdrop of apprehensions expressed by diplomatic circles and analysts about the final fate of the peace process due to conspiracies being hatched by anti-peace {local and foreign} forces. It was widely believed that some of the recent high profile terrorist attacks in Afghanistan were handiwork of ‘spoilers’ who wanted to create misunderstanding between the two sides provoking them to attacks and counter attacks on hostile targets. The new accord has widely been hailed by the world community including the United Nations and the United States and Pakistan as it demonstrates commitment of Kabul Government and Taliban to engage for talks on substantive issues including ceasefire and political solution of the crisis. Pakistan Foreign Office has legitimately expressed joy over inking of the accord as it signals willingness of the two sides for restoration of peace and security in the war-torn country, a problem that is one of the major hurdles in the way of progress and development in the region including Pakistan. In fact, credit for genuine peace moves in Afghanistan goes mainly to Pakistan as it invested a lot of time and effort in convincing the United States and the Afghan Government to adopt the course of dialogue rather than the use of force. Pakistan extended valuable cooperation in making direct contacts between the United States and Taliban a success and now it is encouraging the Afghan Government and Taliban to move forward on the real agenda of the peace process. The objective of national reconciliation in Afghanistan can be achieved if use of force is totally eliminated, violence shunned, all players contribute their share to the noble cause, refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of the country, foreign troops are withdrawn completely in terms of Doha Accord, and the international community shows required level of commitment to rebuild Afghanistan.
