Power is price for peace in Afghan govt-Taliban talks

In an unexpected breakthrough, the Afghan government has demanded an immediate ceasefire from the Taliban who have sought the formation of an Afghan unity government with roles for their leaders and a considerable chunk in the government.

Well-placed sources privy to the dialogue process told Pakistan Today that the Taliban have linked ceasefire with guarantees from Pakistan and China for government formation and their share.

An official, on the condition of anonymity, said that all factions of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Afghanistan, including the Haqqani Network, attended the dialogue. The dialogue process is in continuation of the previous sittings between both sides held in Urumqi and Doha. The representatives of the governments of Pakistan, China, United States of America (USA) and United Nations (UN) also attended the dialogue as members.

The Taliban delegation was led by Mullah Abbas Akhund, who served as health minister when the Taliban ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, while the Afghan side was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai, who is a close relative of former Afghan president Hamid Karzai.

Other participants included members of the country’s High Peace Council, which is the top Afghan peace-negotiating body, and representatives of many of Afghanistan’s dominant political figures. Among them was Haji Din Mohammad, an adviser to the Afghan president, and Mohammad Asem, governor of Afghanistan’s Parwan province and a close aide to Afghan Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Abdullah Abdullah.

CEASEFIRE, UNITY GOVT TOPS TALKS AGENDA:

Ceasefire is a major demand from the Afghan government as Dr Ashraf Ghani’s government is seemingly helpless in countering the Taliban’s spring offensive, the official said, adding that during the dialogue held on Tuesday night at Murree, the Afghan Taliban delegation refused to ensure a ceasefire, stating that a complete ceasefire cannot be guaranteed as so many groups, including militants from al Qaeda, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Islamic State, were fighting against the Afghan government.

The official said the Afghan delegation told the Taliban emissaries that the negotiations and attacks could move together. The Afghan authorities demanded the Taliban to at least stop attacks against the civilians.

Responding to Taliban’s demands, the Afghan authorities have expressed readiness to include the third level leadership of Afghan Taliban in the United Afghan National government – a situation unacceptable for the Taliban.

“The Taliban have demanded to include their first level leadership in the unity government,” the source said. The official added that both sides have decided to hold a follow-up round of talks in the end of month of July which would be attended by the Afghan foreign minister and Afghan Taliban.

GEN SHARIF PLAYS KEY ROLE:

Officials privy to dialogue process told Pakistan Today that COAS General Raheel Sharif has played a key role in ice-melting between the Taliban and Afghan government.

“The breakthrough came due to the hard-work done by the officials of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) on the direction of the COAS that the talks have materialized. The army chief, during his recent visits to Kabul, had assured President Ghani of convincing the Afghan Taliban for talks,” the source added.

CHINA, US REPS ATTENDED MEETING:

In a rare official confirmation of its support to the Afghan peace process, a spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the meeting was hosted by Pakistan to facilitate the “Afghan-led and Afghan-owned” peace and reconciliation process between the Afghan government and Tehreek-e-Taliban Afghanistan representatives.

“The representatives of China and the USA also participated in the meeting. It was agreed that for lasting peace in the region, each side was fully committed to the process. The participants exchanged views on ways and means to bring peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan, and recognised the need to develop confidence building measures to strengthen trust among all stakeholders. All parties agreed to continue talks,” the statement said.

FO CONFIRMS THE DIALOGUE:

Meanwhile, Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday officially confirmed the dialogue process with Pakistan as a host between the Afghan government and Taliban.

“The participants recognised the need to develop confidence building measures to engender trust among all stakeholders. The participants agreed to continue talks to create an environment conducive for peace and reconciliation process. The next meeting will be held at mutually convenient date after (the month of) Ramazan,” the statement added.

“The government of Pakistan expresses its profound gratitude to the government of Afghanistan and Tehreek-e-Taliban Afghanistan for their willingness to work towards bringing lasting peace in Afghanistan. We also thank other partners in peace, including the United Nations, for their contribution to peace, stability and development of Afghanistan,” the FO statement concluded.