Daily Times

Pakistan welcomes the signing of the agreement among political leaders in Kabul regarding the formation of inclusive government and High Council of National Reconciliation. Foreign Office spokesperson Aisha Farooqi said that at this critical juncture, it is vitally important that all Afghan leaders work together constructively in the supreme interest of Afghan people and help bring lasting peace and stability to the country, which was affected by decades of violence and conflict. Reaffirming the abiding solidarity with people of Afghanistan, she said that Pakistan reiterated its commitment to continue to support a peaceful, stable, united democratic and prosperous Afghanistan, at peace with itself and its neighbours.

Earlier, President Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah signed a power-sharing deal, signalling the end of a months-long stalemate that plunged the country into a political crisis. The Breakthrough, which sees Abdullah heading peace talks with the Taliban, comes as Afghanistan battles with a rapid spread of the deadly Coronavirus and surging violence that saw dozens killed in brutal attacks last week.

Ghani said that it was a “historic day” for Afghanistan and the agreement was reached without any international mediation. “We will share the burden and our shoulders, God willing, will be lighter,” he said while addressing Abdullah at the signing ceremony. He added, “In the days ahead, we hope that with unity and cooperation, we would be able to first pave the ground for a ceasefire and then lasting peace.”

Abdullah said that the deal committed to forming a “more inclusive, accountable and competent administration.” He tweeted, “It is meant to ensure a path to peace, improved governance, and protect rights, respect laws and values.”

The agreement further said that Ghani would make Abdul Rashid Dostum, his Former Vice President and turned ally of Abdullah, a marshal of the armed forces. The agreement named Abdullah to lead future peace talks with the Taliban, which has already signed a landmark accord with the United States to pave the way for the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan.

The United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also welcomed the power-sharing deal. Pompeo, however, regretted the time lost during the political impasse. State Department spokesperson added: “Pompeo reiterated that the priority for the United States remains a political settlement to end the conflict by the two leaders to act immediately in support of prompt entry into intra-Afghan negotiations.”

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said that peace and reconciliation were also imperative for being able to effectively respond to the formidable challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic.

“The US-Taliban peace agreement has created a historic opportunity, which must be seized by all Afghan stakeholders to advance the goals of peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan,” the statement said. It is critical that the Intra-Afghan negotiations commenced at the earliest; culminating in a comprehensive and inclusive political settlement in Afghanistan, the statement added.

All dedicated leaders seeking an end of a longish war in Afghanistan must guard against the machinations of possible spoilers, from within and without. Pakistan reaffirmed solidarity with the people of Afghanistan and reiterated the commitment to continue “to support a peaceful, stable, united, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan, at peace with itself and its neighbours.”

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said that peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan were also imperative for being able to effectively respond to the formidable challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic

Near to the endgame, the complexity has to be minimum, not zero-level complexity has to be minimum at the current stage when the US-Taliban agreement has already been made possible.

In an interview with an Afghan Media outlet Azamm, Deputy Head of Taliban’s Political Office in Qatar and head of negotiating team with the United States, Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, said that India maintained economic, military and political ties with a “corrupt” group instead of the Afghan nation and the people of Afghanistan. The Chief Taliban negotiator said that if India gave up its negativity and changed its long-standing policy of supporting “a handful of traitors and puppets and stops pursuing its interests (negative) in Afghanistan, we are ready to engage with them.” “However, if it wants to support its intentions and interests inside Afghanistan, and bases its policy on this-it will never be allowed,” said Stanekzai. He said that it would never be allowed by Islamic Emirate not only to India but to all countries of the world. He reiterated that the Islamic Emirates would never let anyone use Afghan soil for its interests and pursue it inside Afghanistan.

If the Indian government wanted to take positive steps in the Afghan peace process and in rebuilding a new Afghanistan, we were counting on it, but forty years of their presence in Afghanistan, the chief Taliban negotiator said, gave no such indications. India has always let Afghanistan down and behind, not caring for the national interests of Afghan people and their country.

Pakistan’s objective should be to maintain good relations with all Afghan parties, which it has been trying to do these past few years. With constant pressure on Pakistan, the United States, at same levels, regards the military issue in Afghanistan as a key factor. This was reflected in Ambassador Khalilzad’s most recent visit to Pakistan when he called on Chief of Army Staff but not on the Foreign Ministry. The United States, NATO and Western allies need to keep in mind that during the last 18 years, Pakistan has supplied the oxygen (the required conducive environment) that has permitted them to stay in Afghanistan at great cost.

The pace of negotiations and their outcome is in the hands of the three main players and their ability to rise above internal and external spoilers. Ultimately, it is for Afghans to find the middle ground for the republic and the emirates to co-exist. It is for Afghans to define what is in the best interest of their country. They need to seek a peace that permits them to move in the direction of internal unity, prosperity and good neighbourly relations.

The writer is a former director of the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA), Government of Pakistan; a political analyst; a public policy expert and a published author. His book post 9/11 Pakistan was published in the United States. His book, “Existential Question for Pakistan,” was recently launched and highly recommended as a must-read for everyone.

The writer is a former director of the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA), Government of Pakistan; a political analyst; a public policy expert and a published author. His book post 9/11 Pakistan was published in the United States. His book, “Existential Question for Pakistan,” was recently launched and highly recommended as a must-read for everyone