Afghan officials met key Taliban figure in Pakistan
Afghan officials have often seen Pakistan as a reluctant partner in attempts to broker talks with the Taliban but its decision to grant access to Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar may signal Islamabad's willingness to play a more active role.
Rangin Spanta, the national security adviser to Afghan President Hamid Karzai and an architect of peace-building efforts, said an Afghan delegation had met Mullah Baradar in Pakistan two months ago.
Baradar has been in detention since he was captured in Karachi in 2010.
"We have met Mullah Baradar," Spanta told Reuters in Kabul. "Our delegation has spoken to him to know his view on peace talks."
Afghan officials have publicly been demanding access to Baradar, the Taliban's top military commander until he was captured in Karachi, but Spanta's revelation shows preliminary contact has already been made.
Rehman Malik, Pakistan's interior minister, also said that Pakistan had granted Afghan officials access to Baradar.
"They had access at the required and appropriate level," Malik told Reuters.
"We are fully cooperating with Afghanistan and whatever they are asking for the peace process, for developing peace in Afghanistan. We are giving every kind of help."
Pakistan is seen as crucial to stability in Afghanistan as most foreign combat troops look to leave the country in 2014, given its close political and economic ties and because militant sanctuaries straddle the mountainous border.
Afghan officials hope Baradar could play a key role in any negotiations to end the Afghan conflict, acting as a go-between with senior Taliban leaders including the movement's reclusive one-eyed leader, Mullah Mohammed Omar.
Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed last month to resume regular talks on Afghanistan's peace process, with the Pakistan’s prime minister promising to help arrange meetings between Afghan and Taliban representatives.
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We & our allies do not negotiate with terrorists!. Ever............never......... This is obviously a lie.
Good catch, antanu g, my Indian Hindu hero! :)
Nasir mian, in your blind bigotry, you are ready to jump in and lay the blame on Pakistan's door, using any means fair or foul. The article clearly says that it is the Afghan officials who met the Taliban. This has nothing to do with Pakistan.
Don't nurture or depend on them, they are nothing but medieval people with limited thinking and aggression...about time our army and its associated services realize this and let Pakistan and its people progress and live in peace...
Taleban would not enter into any peace deal with the present Afghan govt but even if they do, it would soon be broken after foreign forces leave Afghanistan since they hold a upper hand against them and may not settle less than the whole country under their fold. Chances of civil war breaking out is a distinct possibility and there can be no peace in Afghanistan and Pakistan too would be under great turmoil due to local Taleban doubling its attacks to achieve its objective of enforcing Sharia in the country.
I think its a first key step towards peace process in the region. Considering the fact that U.S has finally realized that talks with Taliban could result the war ended 9after a decade of fighting), U.S has almost got what it desired to have. the policies by the U.S government went in right direction according to the proper planning. One thing that i don't agree with, is that; Baradar alone can not be a key role in peace talks with Taliban, but it requires most of other key Taliban commanders who are in detention in both sides of Durand line. Although its a good start, but its again a 'wait and watch' policy. I think instead of raising questions, one need to understand that Pakistan is still serious in having a permanent peace in the region.
We should all admit the reality attributed to the failure process.Who is responsible for its failure,answer is not so tough or complicated .
United States drone attacks in Pakistani territory destroyed reconciliation efforts already underway with Taliban and increased counterproductive for those groups involved in terrorist activities furthermore provided insurgent's command countless recruits.
Existing peace process has taken a start with tremendous American Support. other stake holder like Afghanistan and Pakistan don't dare to move to any direction without prior permission of dangerous supper power.
If one recalls US government also pledged that they will never talk to North Vietnamese and will defeat them and then it was Kissinger who was sitting with Vietnam's delegation in Paris to negotiate peace. It is commendable that President Obama has realized that peace talks are the best option while war effort will go on. Nothing will come out of peace talks till the elections in November are over this year. It is really sad that after killing thousands and spending billions they have come to this conclusion now, they could have done it in 2008 but the Generals like to win and it does not matter how many families lose their loved ones in the process.I suppose better late than dead late.
The long stance of IK is proving right! PTI was the only party which since 2001 has been saying there is NO military solution! And now that stance is getting vindicated!!
@Nasir, meray bahi, its americans and Afghans who are now pushing for friendship now. And usa is equally responsible in putting us where we are!
pakistan should not hand over Bardar but give access to him in jail.but we dont know what is happening behind the scene.not many real news come on media.
Peace process has begun,all the activities go on to the right direction but question before us is that existing process has American support.
I would like to say herein that without prior permission of the United States no leaf ,can be moved,full intention is moving under the bottom.
Continue killing of marines and other NATO soldiers has compelled the State Depart give signal for total re-call.
Pakistan is playing a vital role in this connection which indispensable to success.
@Nasir: read carefully. afghan offi ials met taliban leader iin pakistani jail and not vise versa. bias makes ones mind foggy...doesnt it?
Pathetic - Has the pakistani leadership not yet realised you cannot make a deal with Satan - we will live to regret every inch we we cede to the barbarians - they have already converted the land of Jinnah into the land of the Mullah - how stupid are WE!
So after a decade, spending billions in killing they've come to the conclusion that there is no solution accept talks. So thoughtful.