INTERIM Afghan Taliban Government’s Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, on Friday said that his country was not a threat to any state and that it was ready to address misunderstandings. Speaking at the graduation ceremony at the Kabul Police Academy, Haqqani announced that the doors for negotiations were open. He said that his government continues to adhere to the commitments made under the Doha Agreement, not allowing Afghanistan’s soil to be used against any country.
On the face of it, the pronouncement and commitment made by the Afghan Minister shows a positive change in the attitude and behaviuor of the authorities in Kabul but the assertion made that the country was honouring commitments made in Doha agreement is negated by the practical conduct and policies. This is evident from the continued cross-border attacks inside Pakistan by the TTP elements supported by the Afghan Government. If Afghanistan is sincere in its declaration not to allow the misuse of its soil against any other country, then why are the Taliban not responding positively to the demand of Pakistan for concrete action against those responsible for killing innocent people almost on a daily basis. The day Afghanistan does so; the bilateral relationship could witness a sea-change with salutary effect on the economies of the two countries as well as prospects of peace, stability and progress of the entire region.
