Is it possible without setting house in order?
Afghanistan has suffered one tragedy after another during the last three months. It deserves therefore the world community’s solidarity and whole-hearted support. What Afghanistan needs most of all is to improve the performance of its government especially security agencies to ensure victory against the Taliban and the IS. This is what many Afghans are also realising. On Tuesday they set up two more protest camps in Kabul to demand the dismissal of all security heads, including the national Security Council chief. Such is the state of the affairs in Afghanistan that even when the Kabul Process meeting was being held, there was a rocket attack on the Indian embassy in Kabul and a big blast outside the grand mosque in Herat, claiming seven lives.
While speaking at the Kabul Process gathering of at least 23 nations, the EU, U.N. and NATO, President Ghani once again accused Pakistan of waging an undeclared war in Afghanistan and asked “What will it take to convince Pakistan that a stable Afghanistan helps them and helps our region?” The Afghan government has to revise its policy of putting all blame on Pakistan while covering up its own shortcomings. Similarly there is an equal need on the part of those who matter in Pakistan to do soul searching. Both Karzai and Ghani had tried hard to reach an understanding with Pakistan but failed to do so. Both complained that Afghan Taliban continue to launch attacks from safe havens in Pakistan. Pakistan endangers itself by cherry-picking among the terrorists. .
Ashraf Ghani has invited the Taliban to peace talks, calling it their “last chance” to give up their 16-year insurgency and join the political process. One can only wish that the Talban pay heed to his call. To be realistic there is little chance of these elements agreeing to talks as long as the present stalemate in Afghanistan continues. Unless the Taliban are seen to be losing the battle there is no likelihood of their coming to the negotiating table at the request of any country.
