Peace council: Afghan peaceniks arrive at an inopportune time

Burhanuddin Rabbani-led team seeks solution to Afghan issue when Islamabad is mired in its own problems.

ISLAMABAD: A high-powered Afghan delegation mandated to hold talks with the Taliban arrived in the capital on Tuesday for consultations with Pakistan’s top political and military leadership on efforts aimed at finding an end to the bloodshed in the war-ravaged Afghanistan.

Led by former Afghan President Burhanuddin Rabbani, the 15-member delegation of High Council for Peace will meet President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.

This is the first visit by the Afghan Peace Council, formed by Afghan President Hamid Karzai in September last year as part of his efforts to seek a negotiated settlement of the nine-year-old war.

Experts believe Islamabad has a pivotal role in any effort that seeks peace-making with the Taliban.

The 70-member council for peace represents a broad spectrum of the Afghan society, including two former presidents, Burhanudin Rabbani and Sibghatullah Mujadadi, tribal leaders, former members of the Taliban regime that ruled the country for six years, ex-members of insurgent group Hezbi Islami and eight women.

“We are looking forward to intensive discussions with the delegation and Professor Buhranuddin Rabbani,” said Foreign Office spokesperson Abdul Basit.

“Pakistan would continue to support and help in whatever way the Afghan government wants us to,” the spokesperson added.

While the visit of the Afghan Peace Council is seen as very significant, political uncertainty in Pakistan may affect the final outcome of the talks.

The beleaguered Pakistan Peoples Party’s government has lost majority in the National Assembly following the Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s move to quit the ruling coalition. Besides, analysts warn the assassination of Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer, who was considered close to President Zardari politically, will further add to the instability.

“The political leadership is certainly preoccupied with the domestic issues and this situation creates distraction,” said a government official, who wished not to be named.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Office sources tried to downplay the issue.

“The meetings with the Afghan delegation will go ahead as scheduled,” said an official, despite the three-day mourning announced by the government over the assassination of Governor Taseer, adding that Pakistan attaches great importance to the visit by the members of the Afghan Peace Council.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 5^th, 2011.