Kabul meeting: ‘Pakistan’s help needed in peace process’
Both leaders will also discuss border incursions that have driven a wedge between the two countries, Daudzai told The Express Tribune.
“The most important subject on the agenda will be peace and reconciliation and Pakistan’s help and its key role,” the Afghan envoy said on the phone from Kabul. Daudzai is in Kabul to finalise preparations for Prime Minister Ashraf’s visit.
So far, peace interlocutors have failed to get the Afghan Taliban into starting an intra-Afghan dialogue. Insurgents also ignored a rare appeal by former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to the Taliban and other armed Afghan groups to partake in direct talks with the US-backed Afghan government.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid told The Express Tribune that ‘the United States and the Islamic Emirate’ are two major parties in the conflict and that the Taliban did not want to talk to the ‘powerless regime’ in Kabul.
A former Taliban leader, who is now pleading for reconciliation, agrees that the militant network is unwilling to talk to the Afghan government for now.
Ambassador Daudzai said both sides will also assess their bilateral economic relationship, particularly in view of the reopened Nato supply routes. The repatriation of Afghan refugees will also be discussed.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 18th, 2012.
COMMENTS (5)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
For years Pakistan held itself out as the "kingmaker" who had enough influence on the Taliban to bring peace to the region -- well the rest of the World finally figured out that was all "boast" and the combination of "boast" and belligerent attitude got you excluded from helping develop the "end game" strategy. These last minute meetings are an attempt to get back in the game but I fear it's "too little too late".
Both the nations did whatever they thought most suitable for their national interest. Lets forget the past and help each others in bringing happiness amongst the most effected nations due to the so called 'war on terror'. None from Pakistan or Afghanistan was ever involved in 9/11. Afghans were fighting against foreign occupation and Pakistan helped them during USSR invasion. Please think, USSR no more, same Afghanistan no more, same Pakistan no more but CIA still prevails. Pahtoons dying everywhere - please watch, if someone understand pushto - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6i7E899zTA
Each and every Afghan is suffering from you. We were doing fine and becoming a modern vountry until you started interfering in our affairs, until you decided to get money for our causr to build a nuclear bomb, until you came with your flawed strategic depth, untill you had stupid dillusions of expansionism. What else are you planning to do wrong to this brotherly muslim neighbour? By the way your people(not gov) are even today much appreciated.
Pakistan doing nothing in Afghanistan is the biggest help from Pakistan side in peace process.
each and every pakistani is suffering because of you...we were doing fine before we became part of your war...our economy is shattered ...what more can a neighboring country do..