No more talks
The killing of Prof Burhanudin Rabbani who was heading the 70-member High Peace Council has come as a shock to those who longed for peace in Afghanistan and the region. Obama has called the assassination “a tragic loss.” Karzai who had planned a week of meetings in the US urgently returned to Kabul while Zardari and Gilani have condemned the killing, describing Rabbani as a friend of Pakistan. The killing has raised a number of questions about its impact on peace process, the internal situation in Afghanistan and relations between Washington, Kabul and Islamabad. The killing for example has the potential of exacerbating ethnic tensions inside Afghanistan. Soon after the news of the terrorist attack was flashed, Northern Alliance leaders including Abdullah Abdullah were on television denouncing the peace process and saying that the Taliban could not be trusted.
Coming as it does in the wake of the growing US concerns regarding relations between the Haqqani network and ISI, the killing could further worsen ties between Washington and Islamabad which does not suit either. Pakistan has all along supported talks with the Taliban while insisting that the Haqqani group should also be included in the parleys. Three days back, Sirajuddin Haqqani said he would follow the Taliban’s lead in matters related to Afghanistan. With a Taliban spokesman owning the responsibility for the killing, and the turban bomber turning out to be a Taliban man who was staying at a Kabul guest house for facilitating the talks, it is amply clear that the militants are not interested in negotiated peace. This compromises Pakistan’s position.
That patience is running out in Washington was indicated by statements by Panetta and Mullen on Tuesday. Two days earlier, Clinton had warned Khar that Pakistan is fast losing friends in Washington. Reportedly, DG ISI Shuja Pasha was also in Washington on Tuesday to meet CIA chief Petraeus. There is a need on the part of the US to avoid public accusations while Pakistan has to review its policy towards the Taliban and the Haqqani network. Rabbani’s killing has closed the door on talks with the militants. What is needed is an all out operation against terrorists of all hues and colours.