Afghan reconciliation: Kabul’s top negotiator seeks release of Taliban prisoners
Salahuddin Rabbani, the head of Afghan High Peace Council, along with his other colleagues, is arriving in Islamabad on Monday for a three-day visit.
Rabbani will also seek a ‘safe passage’ for reconcilable Taliban leaders and their families, Muhammad Esmail Qasemyar, the international relations adviser for the Afghan High Peace Council, told The Express Tribune by phone from Kabul.
Rabbani will also raise the issue of Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the former No 2 in the Taliban hierarchy who was arrested in Karachi in February 2010, he added.
Kabul considers Mullah Baradar as the key to the success of its reconciliation plan, and has sought from Pakistan his release on several occasions.
During the trip, Rabbani will meet President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and the military leadership, according to the Afghan foreign ministry.
The ministry did not disclose the agenda of these meetings but Qasemyar said Rabbani would seek the release of all Taliban prisoners in Pakistan, including Mullah Baradar, and a transit for Taliban leaders during their travels abroad in connection with peace talks.
Officially, Pakistan has never admitted the detention of any Taliban leader, except Mullah Baradar.
But the Taliban say hundreds of their fighters have been arrested by Pakistani authorities, according to Afghan analyst Waheed Mujda.
Qasemyar dubbed the peace council delegation’s visit “very important”. Its members have pinned high hopes on the trip – they are confident that Pakistan, as a brotherly neighbour, will extend sincere cooperation and promote the Afghan peace process, according to Qasemyar.
“We would like the Pakistani government – especially the military and its intelligence wing – to press the Taliban leadership into coming closer to the negotiating table in an effort to resolve the Afghan crisis,” he added.
Kabul accuses Pakistan’s spy agency of using groups like the Haqqani network as proxies to counter the influence of rival India in Afghanistan. Islamabad denies the allegations.
Qasemyar said peace in Afghanistan is in Pakistan’s interest. “Peace in Afghanistan will benefit Pakistan 10 times more than Afghanistan,” he added.
Salahuddin Rabbani’s visit was postponed twice in the past as both sides had “failed to agree on the agenda” as well as details of the council’s interactions in Pakistan, Afghan sources told The Express Tribune.
“The peace council will urge Pakistan to take practical steps to aid the peace process and work out a political solution before the 2014 withdrawal of foreign troops,” an Afghan source said.
The Afghan peace council members also seek meetings with leaders of Pakistani political and religious parties in an effort to win their support for the reconciliation process, an Afghan source told The Express Tribune.
The Afghan Embassy is in the process of arranging these meetings, the source added.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 12th, 2012.
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If Pakistan is honest and serious about reconciliation process in Afghanistan and undermining extremist forces, it should give positive response to the the demand of the High Council of Peace. Release of Mullah Baradar and other Taliban prisoners in Pak jail will be a welcome step. And if Pakistan just intends to use these diplomatic maneuvers for getting more time and prolong the process till the end of 2014, then it would be a hypocrisy of high degree and would prove that Pakistan does not want stability and peace in Afghanistan.
Taliban release will facilitate Afghan peace process. If Pakistani ambassador asks the US to talk to Taliban instead of targeting them, then why Pakistan keeps Taliban leaders in detention?
With his Illogical and stupid statements, Hamid Karzai should not expect any worth while concessions from Pakistan. It will be better for him to hand over Mullah Fazallullah and the leaders of Baloach and Sindh liberation armies to Pakistan to prove his sincerity towards Pakistan before he expects too much from us.
Pakistan must release all Taliban leaders if it is interested in peace and reconciliation process. It is unfortunate that Pakistan still hold Taliban leaders to use them for its game of interests. This approach must be condemned. Pakistan is bound to protect all Taliban leaders who want to join peace process in Qatar or any other country.
After the Taliban cease their murderous campaign, then and only then the question of release or otherwise of the imprisoned ones arises. Afghanistan through their Talibans are responsible for creating all kinds of troubles and playing havoc with Pakistan. We should cease all relations including diplomatic relations with them.