And the need for cooperation
The Afghan Taliban have initiated their Spring Offensive with vicious attacks like the one in Kabul, killing over sixty. And the Afghan government and media have turned their guns on Pakistan. Islamabad has been accused of providing Afghan Taliban support to launch attacks inside the country. The Afghan government is no more interested in seeking Pakistan’s assistance in bringing the Taliban to the negotiating table. Instead it wants Islamabad to launch a military operation against them while handing over to it the Taliban who happen to be in Pakistan. In an interview with Times of India Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai has shown dissatisfaction with the quadrilateral dialogue demanding that all the four countries take action against the Taliban. He has meanwhile asked for Indian help.Border incidents between Pakistan and Afghanistan are taking place followed by protests from both sides.
When an Afghan Taliban delegation reached Karachi from Doha a few days back BBC indicated it had come for holding talks with the Afghan government. It is now claimed by the Taliban office in Qatar that the delegation had come to seek the release of Mullah Baradar and other Taliban leaders from Pakistan’s jails. This could lead some to conclude that the Afghan Taliban have changed their stance in view of the Afghan Government’s latest stand.
The escalation of Taliban attacks inside Afghanistan does not suit Pakistan. Peace in the region cannot be achieved unless there is understanding between the two countries leading to joint military action against the terrorists of all kinds. Pakistan needs to confer with China and the US about how to proceed in the present situation where the utility of the quadrilateral dialogue is being questioned by the Afghan government. What is equally important is for the FO to prepare an alternative strategy in view of the transigence on the part of the Taliban and change in the Afghan government’s attitude. Pakistan needs to show patience and to work hard to create goodwill despite a negative narrative flowing from the other side.
