Best of times…
Pakistan has not received as much international AfPak praise throughout the long years of the war against terrorism as it is now. And this was not the first time Islamabad’s efforts have facilitated a meeting between the Afghan government and the Afghan Taliban. Yet this time was markedly different. One reason was that the equation is no longer triangular. China has lent its weight – and diplomacy and purse – to the peace process. Significantly, the Murree meeting was attended by representatives of the Afghan government, Taliban proper (considering there are so many groups now), Pakistan, the US and China.
Perhaps the most important participant was Deputy Afghan Foreign Minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai, former President Hamid Karzai’s nephew and vocal among those questioning President Ghani’s policy of reconciliation with Islamabad. Ghani had been under immense pressure for gambling on improved ties with Pakistan, especially after the coupled disappointment of the attack on parliament and Taliban rubbishing recent talks in China. Now, since opposing groups seemingly found enough common ground to move forward, and promised to meet soon after Ramzan, there is reason to believe that all sides are finally gearing for peace. Pakistan will salvage some points by reasserting its influence, which was being widely questioned after recent embarrassments.
Yet it is important, as Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif pointed out, not to read too much into the Murree development. True, things are better now than they have been since the war started, but that is all the more reason to avoid complacency. Nobody can afford to forget, of course, that the fight rages on despite the talks. The Taliban’s spring offensive this time is their best yet on record. And there is also the spectre of Da’ish raising its ugly head at the worst possible time. If anything, there is a need to redouble efforts to make sure all the hard work done so far does not go waste. History is an enduring witness that it does not take much for the best of times to become the worst of times in Afghanistan.
