In a welcome move, Donald Trump has seemingly stepped away from social media; choosing instead to reach out to Pakistan by way of private correspondence. Indeed, Imran Khan confirmed receiving the letter in which the American president seeks this country’s help in fast-tracking peace talks with the Afghan Taliban. Sadly, though, this might prove a case of too little too late. Not because Islamabad does not support the peace process across the Durand Line. It does; and has done from the offset. But, rather, any calls for Pakistan to what it can overlooks the Kabul factor. For there appears to be an increasing disconnect between the latter and Washington. The US special envoy for Afghan peace, Zalmay Khalilzad — who is due to arrive in Islamabad sometime today — is talking of sealing the deal on peace within four months. That is, by the time the presidential polls are held in April. Thereby underscoring how the Americans want to see reconciliation de-linked from any particular political personality. A clean slate, if it is to happen, can occur independently of the Ashraf Ghani regime; despite public statements to the contrary. Whereas the Afghan president, who is, of course, seeking re-election, as recently as last week spoke of a protracted reconciliation process that could potentially be implemented over a five-year period. The idea being that he would be at the helm to oversee its conclusion. Thus the first priority must be for Washington and Kabul to be on the same page when it comes to a timetable for peace. And unless and until this happens, there seems little that Pakistan can do on this front. The leadership here must push home this point in meetings with Mr Khalilzad. While also appreciating President Trump’s overture; including his acknowledgment that the Afghan war has cost both sides dear and his indirect offer to reset the bilateral relationship. Experts in elite Washington circles have begun pointing out that the White House likely wants to secure its exit strategy ahead of the US presidential elections; due in 2020. All of which means that the clock is ticking. That the Khan government is still at the beginning of its tenure should work to its advantage. Thus now is the time to play hardball. At least in terms of putting Pakistan’s own security concerns on the table. Such as the question of groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) enjoying warm shelter in Afghanistan; with funding allegedly coming from India. And then there is the matter of pressing New Delhi on human rights abuses in -held Kashmir. What the new political set-up must not do is frame these concerns as ultimatums. But, rather, as an opportunity to share genuine concerns. All that being said, the only actor stalling on peace is the Kabul government. For the emerging picture is of one in which the Taliban and the US are in agreement as to the departure of foreign forces as a precondition to national reconciliation. On this Pakistan must be very clear. It. cannot suffer the fallout of an Afghanistan that risks becoming even more fragmented. * Published in Daily Times, December 4th 2018.