Hamid Karzai. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD: After much commotion and clamour, the Qatar peace dialogue was abruptly stalled. Now, once again, hope for its revival has resurfaced. The Afghan High Peace Council anticipates that Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s upcoming visit to Pakistan will mend fences.
The invitation by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was delivered through his adviser on national security and foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz during his recent visit to Kabul. According to the presidential palace in Kabul, the invitation has been accepted, and the high level delegation that will visit Islamabad to discuss the fight against terrorism and the restoral of the peace process.
Why the stalemate
The current deadlock in the Qatar process comes after Afghanistan refused to join the talks in protest against the use of the Taliban flag and nameplate that read ‘Islamic Republic of Afghanistan’. It also considered the setting up of a Taliban office in Doha as a move to install a parallel government.
In response to the official government’s reservations, Qatari authorities lowered the Taliban’s white flag and removed the signboard.
As a consquence, the Taliban chose to abandon the new office.
Back on track?
According to sources, serious diplomatic efforts are, once again, under way to resume the Qatar dialogue. The recent visit to Kabul by Sartaj Aziz was apparently one such effort.
In this vein, Qazi Amin Waqad, a senior member of the Afghan High Peace Council, said Karzai’s proposed visit to Islamabad will be a great push to restore the process.
“Pakistan has now categorically declared that it is ready to cooperate in the peace process,” said Waqad, adding that Aziz’s visit and invitation to Karzai were major developments. “We are now sure that the process will be revived soon.”
According to Waqad, all eyes will now be on Karzai and his interactions in Islamabad.
“Sartaj Aziz had come to Kabul with a message that Pakistan will cooperate and will not interfere in Afghanistan’s internal affair, in line with the policy of the new government in Islamabad,” he stated. “This approach is very helpful to push for peace.”
Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, the foreign ministry spokesman, said on Thursday that both Pakistan and Afghanistan are already working on Karzai’s visit.
Of offices
While sections of Afghan media reported on Saturday that the Taliban office in Qatar could be reopened within two weeks, Waqad said no time-frame could be given for this as yet. The Afghan government will hold talks with Qatari officials about the nature of the office and an understanding will hopefully be reached between the two governments.
According to Waqad, the office will not be reopened under the name ‘Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’, which is one that the Afghan government categorically rejects.
“The Taliban is a group of armed opponents of the government, not a [parallel government],” he said. “Talks will be held between the government and the group.”
Waqad, who himself is a former jihadi leader and was previously associated with the Hizb-e-Islami of Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, said there is a chance that neither the Taliban flag, nor the Afghan flag, will be hoisted atop the office.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 29th, 2013.
COMMENTS (8)
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Pakistan seems to be having problems with all its neighbours.
The core issue that damages relations between Afghanistan/Pakistan isn't the border but Pakistan's policy of helping terrorist who are trying to overthrow the Afghan govt. Pakistan's recent speeches about helping the peace process are nice but words are cheap and Pakistan still provides sanctuary to those trying to overthrow Afghan leaders. Combine an angry/outspoken Karsai who has legitimate complaints against Pakistan in a meeting with Pakistan leaders who can't take criticism and the chances of a productive meeting are about zero.
We are making common sacrifices in the region, and it only makes sense for us to remain unified for the sake of achieving our shared objectives. We cannot allow any differences to hold precedence over our shared objectives. Meetings like these allow our nations to address any shared concerns. The bottom line is that we cannot have a safe and secure region without a safe and secure Afghanistan and Pakistan. Therefore, we simply wish to see the regional partners working together for the betterment of the region. We repeat what Jen Psaki, Department of State Spokesperson, said recently: “Pakistan is an important partner in supporting a secure and stable Afghanistan, which is vital to the security of the region. Pakistan’s own security and stability is tied to a successful outcome in Afghanistan and any steps that continue to build the relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan, in our view, are very important.”
Ali Khan DET, United States Central Command
Pakistan is striving hard for peace in Afghanistan. I hope it keeps them from blaming every single problem theirs, upon Pakistan's hands.
So Pakistan is controlling the Afghan Peace Process. Why Karzai is expecting anything from this process. Let the Pakistani, American & Taliban decide peace among themselves.
This is going to be the first phase of talks with the Taliban in Islamabad, then once they agree, will sit in Qatar. As far as I can speculate.
Btw, I hate Pakistani politicians when they overuse the word 'categorically' and now the Afghans are picking this up too.
May be some warning will come from karzai for pakistan during his visit