Representatives from Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and US to meet in January to work out incentive package for Afghan Taliban
In a major diplomatic breakthrough, the Pakistani and Afghan leadership has agreed on a roadmap for the Afghan reconciliation process with Afghan Taliban, with an official meeting taking place in January with representatives from Afghan government, Pakistan, China and United States at the table, Pakistan Today has learnt reliably.
The agreement was reached during separate meetings held by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif with Afghan President Dr Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Dr Abdullah Abdullah. The army chief also met with the Afghan army leadership.
A well-placed source informed Pakistan Today that the Afghan and Pakistani leadership have formed quadrilateral frameworks involving Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the US to move forward with the peace process with the Afghan Taliban.
“During the quadrilateral framework meeting, the four countries would finalise the parameters and concessional package to be offered to the Afghan Taliban. The possible package may include lifting of sanctions, a chunk in the government and parliament, financial assistance and laying down arms,” another source familiar with the ongoing developments said.
“With a shared responsibility, all stakeholders would support and ensure success of an Afghan government-led intra-Afghan dialogue and reconciliation,” an official handout said.
“The first round of quadrilateral meeting will be scheduled in January to work out a clear and comprehensive roadmap for a meaningful peace process with a clear demarcation of responsibilities of each stakeholder at all stages,” the statement said.
Both the sides also agreed that they would pursue peace and reconciliation with Taliban groups willing to join the process.
“Elements who would still continue to pursue violence will be dealt with under a mutually worked out framework,” the statement added.
Discussions were also held on mutual security-related issues including information sharing, coordinated counter-terrorism operations on respective sides and way forward for Afghan peace process.
“The COAS stressed on instituting an efficient mechanism for better coordination and preclude chances of any individual/group crossing over to either side. Notwithstanding the complexity of prolonged presence of over three million Afghan refugees in Pakistan and intimate cross border tribal linkages, both sides reiterated not to allow use of their respective soil against each other and agreed to sternly handle any elements crossing over and getting involved in violence on either side, through active intelligence sharing and Intelligence Based Operations (IBOs),” the handout added.
“Emphasising the need to improve bilateral relations it was decided to establish a hot line contact between the DGMOs (directors-general of military operations) of both countries and increase frequency of military to military visits for better coordination,” the statement added.
