The Kazan moot
The multilateral moot on Afghanistan in the Russian city of Kazan must come as an eye-opener. The assembling of representatives from China, India, Russia and the Central Asian states as well as delegates from the Mideast and Turkiye had one common denominator: they want to see peace in the war-torn country, and the dispensation in Kabul to act against terror elements well-entrenched in the shadows. The Kazan gathering was noticeable with the absence of the US, though a lot of stress was laid on implementing the Doha Accord of 2020 signed by the State Department officials and the Taliban. It also rightfully hinted at regional amalgamation and made the beleaguered regime realise how important it is to cleanse the Augean Stable, and open up the reclusive state for international trade and commerce.
The presence of Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, Amir Khan Muttaqi, and likewise Pakistan’s special representative on Afghanistan, Ambassador Asif Ali Durrani, along with other dignitaries must have come as a great opportunity to revisit the resolve of Taliban militia during their huddling in Kabul last week. Pakistan and the southern territories of Afghanistan had seen an escalating wave of terrorism, owing to the regrouping of terror TTP, IS and Al Qaeda remnants. The pity is that they have made great outreach with their like-minded entities in Pakistan, and have pushed the law and order situation to the brink. This is why the Kazan Declaration called for spontaneously acting against all such fissures housed in Afghanistan, curbing illicit human-trafficking, cutting down on the production and free-flow of drugs and forming an inclusive government in Kabul.
It was noted that effective measures are not forthcoming, and this sense of lethargy must go. It is essential to dismantle, eliminate and prevent placement of all sorts of terrorist groups based in Afghanistan, so that the bounties of the region’s opening and economic dividends can flow across the borders, and not disgruntled men and armament. Doha and Kazan memos are in need of seeing the light of the day.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 2nd, 2023.
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