Despite last week’s closure of the Taliban office in Doha, Pakistan has fervently called for pursuing the Afghan peace process aimed at bringing the over a decade-old war to an end. “The window on the Doha track should not be shut. This initiative should be pursued,” Pakistan’s UN Ambassador Masood Khan told a closed door meeting of the UN Security Council on the situation in Afghanistan on Thursday. The peace process involving Taliban, Americans and Afghan officials was to have started last week at the recently opened Taliban office in the Qatari capital, but got stalled after the office drew the ire of the government of Afghan President Hamid Karzai over the display of the Taliban flag and nameplate at the office. The signs and flag were later removed and the Karzai government said its High Peace Council would take part in the peace process only if it is Afghan-led.
PAK-AFGHAN RELATIONS: “Temporary difficulties and glitches should be resolved so that the US, the government of Afghanistan, and the Taliban can have conversations that would lead to an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation,” the Pakistani envoy said. “Misgivings should be removed and tensions defused. Compromises must be explored to move forward.” He further remarked that Pakistan had taken all possible measures to facilitate the peace process. “We are doing so in good faith. This is also guided by our national interest. Peace and stability in Afghanistan will have a salutary impact on Pakistan.”
“Under no circumstances, will we force an agenda, impose a solution or interfere in intra-Afghan dialogue,” he added. “Only Afghan parties will and should set the framework of negotiations, articulate common objectives and identify the final outcome.” “Peace and security in Afghanistan are a must for a viable peace and reconciliation process,” the Pakistani envoy said. “Together with Afghanistan, we have shared responsibility to manage Pak-Afghanistan international border,” he said. Pakistan had sought to strengthen border controls through check-points and border posts along its side of the border, a must for interdicting terrorist activities, counter narcotics trafficking and tackle smuggling. He said it was in the interest of the two countries to stop shelling across the international border. “We continue to suffer casualties, even as we are putting our full weight behind Afghan peace,” the Pakistani envoy pointed out. “Provocative statements to the media vitiate the atmosphere,” he added. “Pakistan has shown utmost restraint in responding to these statements, because we want to steer our relations towards trust and cooperation. “Pakistan will persevere in its support to the efforts of the Afghan people to bring peace and stability in their land. We will also continue to support the UN as it assists Afghanistan in making multiple political, security and economic transitions simultaneously in the next two to three years.”