The tripartite consultations among Pakistan, China and Russia on the Afghan conflict augur well for the establishment of peace in war-torn Afghanistan. Reportedly, it was the third round of talks among the three countries on the “deteriorating situation in Afghanistan,” particularly the rise of the militant Islamic State (IS) group. The only fault with these meetings was the absence of Afghan government representatives. However, the joint communiqué has welcomed the participation of the Afghan government leadership in future consultations. There is a possibility that Iran and Turkey would also join talks aimed at working out a solution to the Afghan conflict. It is welcome sign that neighbouring countries are taking part in consultations to deal with the growing threat of militancy in the region as militants operate without borders for the fulfilment of their nefarious motives. It is a cause for concern that the IS has shown its strong presence from Europe to Afghanistan. Though its operational capacities in Khurasan chapter are not as strong as in the Middle East, North Africa or Europe, yet it has created an alarming situation for the world in general and Afghanistan in particular. After the Taliban, Afghanistan is going to face a new fierce enemy. Similarly, instability of any kind in Afghanistan would have direct repercussions for Pakistan, China and Russia. Therefore, regional players including Pakistan should realise the gravity of the matter and they should work for some form of durable
peace in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan has been witnessing violence in extreme forms due to the presence of these militants who are relentlessly throwing a war-torn Afghanistan into anarchy. It has become a playing field for the Afghan Taliban and the IS, which is not a good thing. The ongoing war in Afghanistan is already leaving disastrous effects. It continues to destroy lives due to direct consequences of violence and war-induced breakdown of public health, security, and infrastructure. Civilians are being killed by crossfire, improvised explosive devices, assassinations, bombings, and kidnappings by militants. The continued violence and bloodshed have inflicted heavy casualties upon the Afghan nation. The victimisation of the Afghan people due to persistent insecurity in different parts of the country is really a serious matter and must be dealt as the top priority.
The Afghan government needs to convince other militant groups, like the Taliban and the Islamic State, to abandon bloodshed. The involvement of neighbouring states in making efforts to convince the Taliban to join peace talks is commendable. Pakistan’s role is critical in bringing peace to war-torn Afghanistan. The involvement of China and Russia is also significant as it can help strike a peace deal with the Taliban. Those militants who are ready to quit violence must be engaged in talks while those who are not ready to lay down their arms should be dealt with strictly. Peace is in the interests of all stakeholder countries, the region and the world. Talks remain the only viable solution for the problem of the Afghan insurgency. The process, no matter how fraught or uncertain, must be persisted with for the sake of Afghanistan and the entire region. The only alternative is continuation of war, which is not affordable anymore. *