Kabul meeting: ‘Pakistan’s help needed in peace process’

Upcoming talks between President Karzai and Premier Ashraf discussed.


Tahir Khan July 18, 2012

ISLAMABAD: Afghanistan will elicit Pakistan’s facilitation in the peace and reconciliation process during talks between Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf in Kabul on July 19, Afghan Ambassador Omar Daudzai said on Tuesday.

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)

Cautious | 11 years ago | Reply

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".

Bala | 11 years ago | Reply

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

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