Pakistan critical but Afghans must settle issues with Taliban themselves
President Karzai wants talks with the Afghan Taliban on his own terms. After twelve years of war the Taliban too have shown interest in a negotiated settlement but they also seek a resolution that suits them. What is needed is for the two sides to reach a consensus through talks. Karzai needs Pakistan’s help in bringing the militant network to the negotiating table but entertains unrealistic expectations. He wrongly thinks that Pakistan can dictate terms to the militants. When these expectations are not fulfilled, he loses patience and starts fulminating against Pakistan. It was on the insistence of the US administration and Afghan government that Pakistan helped in the initiation of the Doha talks. The talks failed to kick off partly because of the Taliban’s desire to seek publicity and partly because of the strong reaction on Karzai’s part. This led a frustrated US administration to put on the table what had so far been a zero option i.e., an early and total pull out of the US troops from Afghanistan leaving Kabul to fend for itself. This suited none of the stakeholders including the Afghan government, Pakistan and most of the countries in the region. Many in the US also considered the option unfeasible. Karzai is presumably more sober now after seeing the results of the suspension of talks.
Soon after Nawaz Sharif assumed office Karzai supported him on the issue of the drone attacks in the two Waziristan agencies. Remarks attributed to Sartaj Aziz during a meeting with the Afghan ambassador caused furore in Afghanistan but the issue was presumably resolved during the former’s visit to Kabul. On Friday, Karzai exchanged notes with Nawaz on telephone. Reportedly both leaders agreed to work together to eliminate terrorism as it was wreaking havoc both in Afghanistan and Pakistan. It was subsequently announced that Karzai would visit Islamabad on August 26.
After the blunders committed by Pakistan’s military rulers in Afghanistan and the price Pakistanis are continuing to pay for it, few in this country have any appetite for the poppycock of strategic depth. It is widely understood now that Pakistan badly needs to maintain friendly relations with its western neighbour for peace and prosperity in the country and the region. While Islamabad should once again help bring the Talban on the negotiating table, Karzai needs to understand that Pakistan cannot order the militant leadership about. There is a need on both sides to treat one another with mutual consideration and respect. That the Afghan Taliban are willing to be a part of a pluralistic system instead of demanding a monopoly on power should be considered a welcome development. This said it is for the Afghans themselves to settle their issues as it suits them. Hopefully the visit would open a new chapter in the relations between Kabul and Islamabad.