World

Afghan president shrugs off criticism over outreach to Pakistan

Afghan intelligence chief resigned on Thursday after voicing his disdain against Ashraf Ghani's visit to Pakistan

Afp December 11, 2015

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani gestures as he addresses a press conference at the Presidential Palace in Kabul on December 11, 2015. PHOTO: AFP

KABUL: Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Friday shrugged off criticism from the country's intelligence chief who resigned over his diplomatic outreach to Pakistan aimed at reviving peace talks with the resurgent Taliban.

The resignation of Rahmatullah Nabil on Thursday highlights the domestic backlash Ghani faces over his attempts to repair strained relations with Pakistan, long blamed for nurturing the Taliban.

Ghani has staked considerable political capital in advocating bonhomie with the neighbour, saying it was a necessary partner in restarting peace talks aimed at ending Afghanistan's long war.

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"Without positive support from Pakistan, won't the war in Afghanistan keep dragging on? You answer me," Ghani told a press conference on Friday.

"If one of the main sources of instability in Afghanistan is our neighbour... then there is a comprehensive need to work together to end this fighting."

Nabil resigned a day after he posted a scathing Facebook post criticising Ghani's recent high-profile visit to Pakistan for a conference that shored up international support for Taliban talks.

Afghan president receives unexpected welcome in Pakistan

"Our innocent countrymen were being martyred and beheaded in Kandahar airfield... at the moment when (Pakistan) Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif once again said Afghanistan's enemy is Pakistan's enemy," he wrote.

He was referring to a 27-hour Taliban siege this week of Kandahar airport, the largest military installation in southern Afghanistan, which killed at least 50 people.

Nabil's resignation comes as Afghanistan's security establishment, already without a full-time defence minister, is struggling to rein in the ascendant insurgency.

At the Islamabad conference, Ghani and Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif vowed commitment to the peace process, with the United States and China also offering support.

Afghan spy chief quits over ‘differences’ with Ashraf Ghani

Pakistan, which wields considerable influence over the Taliban, hosted a milestone first round of peace negotiations in July.

But the talks stalled when the Taliban belatedly confirmed the death of longtime leader Mullah Omar, sparking a power struggle within the movement.

Foreign ministry issued a statement Friday saying it hoped consultation on the talks would begin "soon".

Ghani voiced optimism that the negotiations would resume in the coming weeks, saying Afghanistan was "thirsty for peace and stability".

COMMENTS (9)

ajeet | 8 years ago | Reply Everyone knows that Ghani is a Pakistani plant.

Milli | 8 years ago | Reply he seems to be like our powerful elite.. after ruling the country, they all go abroad as all their business is in abroad..Pity, they don't have any stake in the country, they rule

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cautious | 8 years ago | Reply Ghani is willing to take political risk to achieve goals - classic sign of a leader. Lets hope his neighbor can respond accordingly.

Sami Shahid | 8 years ago | Reply lol....The Afghan NDS wants to close the chapter of AFGHAN TALIBAN that is why the afghan intelligence plans , cordinates and send its own terrorists to attack somewhere in the country....Real afghan taliban are afghan nationals.....afghan taliban was created by afghanistan and got funded by USA....its very obvious that the afghanistan isunder attack by its own snake...but not every time....afghanistan has got an intel which is a friend of terrorists....they send their terrorists to attack their own country just like India....after all NDS is trained by RAW !

Shuaib | 8 years ago | Reply @Saad: That is a fair assessment. I think Pakistan has to be tougher on the Afghan Taliban. The time has now come for Pakistan to tell them enough is enough and that Pakistan will carry out a round operation against the Afghan Taliban on Pakistan's soil if they do not enter the political mainstream. The TTA is murdering civilians in Afghanistan and Pakistan has to do something as a neighbor. I know that the Afghans over exaggerate about us and make ridiculous assertions about Pakistan, etc. but I don't see any other rational or just position.

Nil | 8 years ago | Reply Salute Afghans. The true friend of India.

JD | 8 years ago | Reply Ghani is sensible but unfortunately a hostage to his public and politicians. Pakistan should use this opportunity to work constructively over establishing peace. If Ghani's gone, not sure if a more cooperative president will show up in Afghanistan. At the same time, the people of Afghanistan shall realize that an attack during a meeting with Pakistan means the obvious, some other 'party' (hint, look east beyond Pakistan) is trying hard not to let the two neighbors live in peace.

Saad | 8 years ago | Reply Doesn't seem like the Afghans trust Pakistan very much.

SHAH | 8 years ago | Reply Useless intelligence chief working for Hindu-stan intelligence, did not have a clue on these devils taliban laying seige on airport and then killing innocent people.. what was this loud mouth of Hindu-stan doing sitting and enjoying life,.. good he resigned.. otherwise he was to be sacked anyway for incompetence and not doing his job right. Blaming Pakistan and then now blaming his own President jus because this Preseident was not towing Hindu-stan's line this time ??? Get out of there and hide before somebody comes after you;

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