Commitment to peace
The Afghan government has been duly elected and enjoys the backing of the major powers. The Afghan Taliban control the largest area of the country since the overthrow of their government in 2001 and have displayed the ability to continue attacks in winter when fighting normally ends till the snows start melting on the passes. The post-Taliban Afghan constitution envisages a parliamentary republic which promises equal rights for women and religious minorities. The Taliban, on the other hand, believe in a form of theocracy run under an Amir-ul-Momineen chosen by a handful of people. In the past the Talban treated women as a household item and opposed western education. Bringing the two sides to negotiating table is no child’s play.
Crucial differences exist over a roadmap for resurrecting the stalled peace process. A day before the quadrilateral talks, Javid Faisal, deputy spokesman to the Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, told media that Pakistan was required to submit a list of Taliban leaders who were, and those who were not, willing to participate in talks, opening dialogue with the former and dealing with the later through joint anti-terrorism platforms. Faisal claimed terms for the quadrilateral meeting were finalised last month during a visit to Kabul by Gen Raheel Sharif. The Taliban meanwhile announced that they would not talk to a US sponsored regime in Kabul.
In his inaugural address, Sartaj Aziz underlined the need to incentivise the Taliban through CBMs to wean them away from violence and bring them to negotiating table. He also called for a realistic and flexible roadmap which broadly defines steps and phases but avoids unrealistic targets and deadlines.
As long as the Afghan Taliban and the government in Kabul stick to their maximalist positions there can be no peace in Afghanistan. The issue could not be resolved at the Islamabad talks. It was understandable on the part of the participants to decide to hold another session in Kabul while expressing commitment to peace and creating a feasible environment in Afghanistan for talks.
Speaking in the Senate, the defence minister said the quadrilateral meeting would decide about the responsibilities and roles of the four stakeholders in the process that would be led by the Afghans with the other three playing the role of facilitators.
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