Karzai in intensified efforts for reconciliation with resistance leaders

Amidst growing internal pressure from within political rivals and increasing rifts with the US led allies over its troop’s involvement in civilian casualties, Afghan President Hamid Karzai has intensified efforts for reconciliation with the resistance forces.
In this respect, he sent envoys to Qatar for joining or monitoring the dialogue between the US and the Taliban, as the Hizb-e-Islami Afghanistan accepted his offer for resumed talks in Kabul.
Pakistan Today came to know through sources that HIA chief Engineer Gulbadin Hekmatyar had give a green signal to his party stalwarts for assembling in Kabul in connection with negotiation with President Hamid Karzai’s government.
The Afghan opposition, recently divided into two main groups, is opposing dialogue with the rivals, especially with the Taliban and pullout of US led allied troops as well.
The sources said the visible change in President Karzai’s policies towards the US led foreign troops had forced no other than Taliban supreme leader Mullah Mohammad Omar and HIA chief Engineer Gulbadin Hekmatyar consider dialogue.
Karzai and his associates are now desirous of an early pullout of foreign troops and favouring intra-Afghan dialogue for a durable end to decades-old hostilities and conflict.
A highly responsible representative of HIA in Peshawar when contacted confirmed that dialogue between the delegates and Afghan government would be resumed in Kabul on Saturday.
So far a number of delegates have landed in Kabul.
Amongst them are Dr Ghairat Baheer, Adil, Haji Abdul Malik and Hassan Niaz who proceeded from Pakistan, whereas they would be joined by Norway-based Ustad Qareebur Rehman Saeed.
The HIA representative said they were firm on their conditions, including an early pullout of US and allied foreign troops from Afghanistan and intra-Afghan dialogues for a suitable and acceptable setup in the war devastated country.
The HIA has since long opposed every sort of foreign intervention in affairs of Afghanistan and on such grounds, its leadership requested all foreign militants, including al Qaeda fugitives, to leave Afghanistan.
The Afghan opposition headed by former speaker Younas Qanooni and Engineer Ahmad Shah Ahmadzai is divided over the dialogue. Qanooni opposes a patch up with the Taliban and Hizb-e-Islami, whereas Ahmad Shah Ahmadzai is suspicious about Karzai’s stance on pullout of US-led allied troops.
Both of them allege that President Karzai is making attempts to remain in power on the pretext of reconciliation. However, Karzai succeeded in creating rifts amongst the opposition by naming Salahuddin Rabbani as the head of the Reconciliation Commission.
Rabbani is the son of late Prof Burhanud Din Rabbani.