PAKISTAN has once again demonstrated its total commitment to the cause of peace in neighbouring Afghanistan by inviting a delegation of Taliban to discuss the issues impeding start of the intra-Afghan dialogue as envisaged in Qatar Agreement between the United States and Taliban. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had a detailed discussion with the delegation, led by Mullah Baradar, the Director of the Political Office and Taliban’s Deputy Emir responsible for political affairs, underlining that the historic opportunity offered by Doha Accord must be seized by the Afghan stakeholders to secure an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive negotiated political solution.
Pakistan’s position on Afghan issue is principled-based as it firmly believes there was no military solution of the 19-year old conflict and only a political settlement could ensure lasting peace in the war-torn country. Attempts aimed at imposing a solution through use of military force have complicated things for people of Afghanistan and also created enormous socio-economic challenges for Pakistan which has witnessed a long period of insecurity impacting upon its own developmental pursuits. For quite some time, the United States resorted to arms twisting of Pakistan in a bid to forcing it to toe its line in Afghanistan but Pakistan risked estrangement of relations with the superpower and did not deviate from its advocacy for peace process. It is satisfying that at the end of the day, Pakistan’s viewpoint has been endorsed by the US as well and with the active cooperation of Islamabad, Washington has been able to strike a deal with Afghan Taliban. However, as has been warned by Foreign Minister Qureshi there are local and foreign spoilers engaged in efforts to undermine the peace process and the recent merger of militant/terrorist groups in Afghanistan, supported and sponsored by RAW, confirms such apprehensions. As India has already been pushed back to some extent from Iranian scene from where it had been hatching conspiracies against economic and geo-political interests of Pakistan and there are bright prospects of repeat of the process in Afghanistan, it might make frantic efforts to create roadblocks in the way of reconciliation process. Pakistan’s interests are intrinsically linked to peaceful, stable and secure Afghanistan but India has an interest in continuation of the turmoil. There is also increasing support for dialogue with Taliban and conclusion of a political solution as has been highlighted by the proceedings of the Loya Jirga convened by Afghan President. Pro-peace forces need to join hands to foil designs of those who have their own agenda and no regard for the plight of Afghan people.
