The sitting government in Kabul starts smears campaign against Pakistan whenever incident of violence occur in Afghanistan. The National Security Advisor of Afghanistan Hamdullah Mohib has alleged that so long as Taliban enjoys the support of Islamabad peace talks will not succeed. But he has emhasised the participation of countries of the region in the stalled peace process on Afghanistan. The tirade against Pakistan was followed by firing by Afghan forces targeting both posts of Pakistani security forces and civilian populations in Arandu area of Chittral district. Six soldiers and 5 civilian were injured in this incident of unprovoked firing by Afghan Forces.
Pakistan is cognizant of the fact that durable peace in region hinges upon ending the decades long war in Afghanistan. For this purpose Pakistani leadership has all along sincerely and seriously supported the efforts for peace in trilateral and quartet meeting and Moscow international peace conferences for restoring stability in Afghanistan. These moots paved the way for direct talks between the United States and the Taliban. Strenuous diplomatic efforts had been made to help initiate meaningful and result oriented intra-Afghan talks involving all Afghan parties. The hosting of Afghan Peace Conference at Burbhan in June signifies the positive role of Pakistan for restoring peace in Afghanistan. The recent trilateral meeting between the foreign ministers of Pakistan, China and Afghanistan is another noteworthy step in this direction.
Pakistan has further intensified efforts for the resumption of direct dialogue process between the United States and the Taliban in the pursuit of peace and stability in Afghanistan. Prime Minister Imran Khan had made it clear that he is also anxious about the holding of intra-Afghan dialogue including the incumbent government in Kabul. A delegation of the Taliban led by Mullah Abdul Ghani Bardar visited Islamabad in the first week of this month and held discussion with foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi. Both national and foreign media reported that the Taliban delegation had also held meeting with the US Chief negotiator on Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad to restart the peace talks that broke down because of the continued attacks by Taliban fighters on the US troops, Afghan government forces and civilians. US President Trump had made it a plausible excuse to announce pulling out of talks last month.
In an interview with Arab TV, Afghan Ambassador at Saudi Arabia had acknowledged the facilitation role of Pakistan in the peace process and its endeavors for the Afghans’ led political settlement of Afghanistan. Senior diplomat of Pakistan participated in Quartet meeting held in Moscow on October 26 which deliberated over ways means and for the resumption of suspended peaces process. It was emphasised that reduction in hostilities between the Afghan government and the Taliban is necessary for the resumption US-Taliban talks and commencement of intra-Afghan dialogue.
