IN a positive development, Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban have reached an interim understanding following six days of high-level talks in Istanbul, aimed at preventing the use of Afghan soil for terrorist activities against Pakistan and taking decisive action against India-backed militant groups, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), known as Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan.
According to reports, the dialogue witnessed many ups and downs due to reluctance on the part of the Afghan side to offer guarantees that its soil will not be used against Pakistan, prompting the Pakistani delegation to make preparations to return home. However, following requests from the host nations Turkiye and Qatar and an appeal from the Afghan Taliban delegation, Pakistan agreed to continue negotiations to give peace another chance.
The understanding reached in Istanbul is not comprehensive and one hopes tangible progress will be made during the next round of talks slated for November 06 again in Istanbul. However, in the backdrop of the pessimism being expressed by different circles about the outcome of the dialogue, the very fact that the two sides have agreed to uphold the ceasefire and meet again is itself an achievement. Maintenance of a peaceful environment and non-provocation could help create a congenial atmosphere for successful conclusion of the dialogue process. The understanding also assumes special significance as a secure Western border will help check Indian designs aimed at squeezing Pakistan both from the East and the West. A joint statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkiye says meetings were held in Istanbul aimed at solidifying the ceasefire, which was agreed upon by Pakistan and Afghanistan in Doha on 18-19 October with the mediation of Qatar and Turkiye and all parties have agreed to continue the ceasefire. Further modalities of implementation will be discussed in a principal level meeting in Istanbul on November 06. All parties have agreed to put in place a monitoring and verification mechanism that will ensure maintenance of peace and imposing penalty on the violating party. Both Qatar and Turkiye have expressed their readiness to continue to work with Pakistan and Afghanistan for lasting peace and stability. All this is encouraging but how peace can be ensured without addressing the core issue of terrorist activities carried out by Afghanistan-based outlawed TTP and other groups in Pakistan. However, another version of the joint statement carried by some segments of the Pakistani media claims “Both sides committed to maintaining the ceasefire on the condition that Afghan territory will not be used for terrorist attacks against Pakistan. The understanding also requires the Afghan Taliban to take clear, verifiable and effective action against groups such as Fitna al Khwarij and Fitna al Hindustan. The Turkish version makes no mention of any commitment made by the Taliban Government to reign in TTP terrorists and in the absence of such a guarantee how Pakistan can agree not to retaliate if terrorist attacks continue unabated. The prevailing state of affairs has been aptly explained by Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif who said that a ray of light was visible in the Istanbul negotiations between Pakistan and Afghanistan amid current tensions and there was room for guarded optimism for a breakthrough, although nothing conclusive could be said at this stage. Pakistan’s principled position was once again outlined by Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir who told a tribal jirga on Thursday that the Afghan soil remains a safe sanctuary for Fitna al-khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan terrorists despite Pakistan’s repeated efforts to improve ties with Kabul. He categorically declared that Pakistan has always sought peace with all its neighbours but will not allow cross-border terrorism to be perpetrated from Afghan soil against it. Pakistan had been exercising patience and restraint for years despite cross-border attacks on security forces and civilians but now a firm decision has been taken to eliminate this threat at all costs. As lasting peace will remain a distant dream in the absence of effective measures against terrorism of all sorts, it is hoped that the two countries will be able to agree on a comprehensive understanding in this regard when they meet again on November 06.
