Taliban ready to play role in Afghanistan

So far militant group has refused to join intra-Afghan dialogue, their statement can be seen as shift in approach

ISLAMABAD: In a bid to allay the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation’s concerns, the Afghan Taliban on Tuesday touted its own role as trouble-shooters, bridge builders and problem-solvers in the war-ravaged nation.

The upcoming Nato Summit in Wales this week is expected to be a key platform where the Afghan exit strategy will be one of the important issues on the agenda.

Addressing Nato leaders ahead of the upcoming summit, the statement said that the Taliban want to play “a central role” in providing a solution to the problems faced by Afghanistan. They also said Afghans could be united under an “Afghan inclusive” system.

The Taliban, who have fought against Nato forces since the US-led invasion in late 2001, have always adopted a tough stance against the foreign military alliance.

So far the militant group has refused to join the intra-Afghan dialogue, however, their latest statement could be seen as a shift in their approach.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 3^rd, 2014.