KARACHI:
The withdrawal of the US and Nato troops from Afghanistan has brought about a hyper-competitive ground between the Afghan security forces and the Taliban. The pace with which the latter is gaining territories is alarming and casting doubts on the prospect of lasting peace in the war-torn country.
However, the Taliban have not yet gained complete military advantage over Afghan security forces, neither has a full-blown civil war emerged as of yet, which means that there is still an opportunity for the regional and the international community to expedite their diplomatic efforts and induce the warring parties towards a negotiated settlement. There has not been a ceasefire that lasted longer than three days since the peace talks began back in 2018. It is high time that the Afghan government and insurgents reached a mutually comprehensive ceasefire and put an end to the sufferings of Afghan civilians. The region cannot afford another conflict in Afghanistan which is certainly laced with refugee crisis, an expected wave of terrorism and extremism in the region, and possibly an exponential rise in the import and export of narcotics.
These developments are bound to occur if regional and international players fail to ensure a negotiated settlement in Afghanistan. Besides, spoilers and opportunists are also lurking ahead, waiting to strike and fill the power vacuum if left void. They, too, need to be taken aboard and integrated in the peace process to reach a lasting consensus.
Fawad Ali
Swabi
Published in The Express Tribune, August 4th, 2021.
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