Peace talks: Governor says dialogue only way to restore peace

Shaukatullah Khan claims Pakistan is not interfering in Afghan matters.

PESHAWAR:

The governor of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) insisted although the talks with the Taliban had been momentarily delayed, negotiating with them was the only way to restore peace in the region.

“The doors of negotiation have not been closed and we will complete what we started in a peaceful manner,” said Governor Shaukatullah Khan. “The Afghan crisis is no longer restricted to their country; today it is a global crisis. Warm relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan are important for regional peace and development.” He added although Pakistan was not interfering in Afghanistan’s matters, it was committed to restoring peace in its bordering country.

After speaking at a seminar at Pearl Continental on what would happen to Pakistan after the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan, Khan said the federal government would not intervene in matters that concern the provincial government. He added there was no way he would declare governor raj in the province over the issue of Nato supplies.



According to the governor, Nato forces should not pull out completely but withdraw bit by bit and give the Afghans enough time to strengthen their security forces and manage their affairs. He added it was good that democracy was flourishing in a war-hit country like Afghanistan and its people were standing united for the restoration of peace.

“The former Soviet Union attacked Afghanistan in 1979 because the latter did not have a proper force,” Khan said. “But if they had, the region would not have the security issues it has now.” He added it was the duty of Nato member countries to restore peace in Afghanistan before they left in case the conflict within the country spreads further.

Other speakers at the conference included Area Study Centre Director Sarfaraz Khan who said the Afghan government had convened a Loya Jirga with leaders from different political parties on November 21. They plan to discuss the withdrawal of US forces and the security pact between the two countries. This jirga, however, is being criticised for being a traditional one as members of the National Assembly and senate were being sidelined.

The K-P Chamber of Commerce and Industries President Zahidullah Shinwari was also present at the conference. He said even though the draft of the security pact had been prepared before it was decided to hold a jirga, the elders should have been consulted.

According to Professor Adnan Sarwar, the chairman of Peshawar University’s International Relations department, the future of Afghanistan depends on the April 5, 2014 general election. “The Afghan government seems capable of convincing the jirga to go ahead with the security pact,” he said. “The withdrawal of Nato forces at this crucial moment from Afghanistan is risky for the whole region.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 20^th, 2013.