Kabul-Taliban talks

And the role Pakistan should play

That first round of talks between the Afghan government and Taliban representatives would be welcomed by all who want peace in the region. It is also encouraging that both sides have decided to hold the next meeting after the month of Ramzan. That Islamabad hosted the talks underlines Pakistan’s commitment to peace in the neighbouring country.

The meeting was the first step in a long journey on a path littered with booby traps. The Taliban are no more a cohesive force as they used to be once. With Mullah Omar not having made any public appearance for years, some have declared him dead. The lure of the IS has caused a number of Taliban commanders change their affiliations. There are likely to be more desertions if the Taliban leadership is seen to be capitulating to the Afghan government.

President Ashraf Ghani faces serious problems that could stand in the way of taking courageous decisions. Ten months after being sworn in Ghani and Abdullah Abduah have failed to agree on the appointment of a Minister of Defence. While Ghani claims his government was talking to the insurgents from a position of strength, the Taliban continue to be on the offensive both inside Kabul and in the Northern and Southern provinces of Afghanistan. It remains to be seen if the two sides can agree on confidence building measures which are a precondition for making any significant move towards mutual understanding.

The attitude of both the Taliban and the Kabul government towards Pakistan has been ambivalent. The former has chafed at its dependence on Pakistan while many in Afghanistan view Pakistan with suspicion. Pakistan will have to play a Houdini act to be seen as an honest broker. The best way is to tell both the parties that after Islamabad has fulfilled its promise to bring them to the negotiating table, it is now their responsibility to take the ownership of an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned reconciliation process. Pakistan may however agree to act as an arbiter if and when both sides jointly approach it to play the role.