Despite progress in the peace process, some officials were cautious in leaping to conclusions at this stage. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
Officials familiar with secret negotiations among Washington, Kabul, Islamabad and the Afghan Taliban disclosed that there has been considerable progress since Mullah Muhammad Omar authorised his former deputy Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar to initiate dialogue on behalf of the militia.
Officials, all of whom spoke on condition of anonymity, said the recent meeting between Mullah Baradar and representatives of the Afghan High Peace Council at an undisclosed location in Pakistan could prove to be a ‘turning point’ in breaking the impasse in the fragile peace process.
Although little information has been shared officially by the stakeholders about the prospects of a peace deal, it is believed that efforts seeking a political solution to the 12-year-old conflict have been stepped up in recent weeks. One senior Pakistani official revealed that more meetings between Mullah Baradar and Afghan interlocutors were expected in the coming weeks. He added that senior American officials who have been in indirect contact with Mullah Baradar were likely to meet him soon.
Mullah Baradar, a former close aide of Mullah Omar, was released from a Pakistani jail in September this year in order to provide a fresh impetus to the Afghan peace process. But there were doubts at the time that he enjoyed the same clout in the Taliban hierarchy that he had in the past.
“He [Mullah Baradar] still enjoys the trust and confidence of the Taliban leadership and that is why there are better chances of a positive outcome of the ongoing efforts,” one official said.
Despite progress in the peace process, some officials were cautious in leaping to conclusions at this stage. “There has been some progress, but a lot more needs to be done,” said a security official.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 9th, 2013.
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To your first line, American never would like to see Pakistan shattered (till we have nuclear arsenal)but they also would never like to see Pakistan progress, hence they will keep us hands to mouth and dependant on US.
To your second part of opinion, "militancy and its supporters" is a long, tricky and debatable topic.
@Zubair:
No, it has nothing to do with Americans. It's not in America's interest for Pakistan to shatter.
If your military brass stops over stretching their hands, then there will be peace in Pakistan as well.
@Major Iqbal: Similarly, if American want peace in Pakistan there will be else dream for it.
They are showing their crurelness, why hiding their faces...
Too difficult to maintain peace in Afghanistan. First, any foreign government can buy people in Afghanistan to serve their interests and secondly, Afghan nation is too proud of their martial race reputation, so they love to fight......
If the Pakistani ISI wants peace in Afghanistan, then there shall be peace. If they don't want peace, then don't expect things to change.