A number of Afghan political analysts have expressed optimism over what they call Pakistan’s resolve to support the Afghan peace and reconciliation process.
The statement comes a few days after Islamabad hosted a four-nation meeting aimed at mapping out a way forward to get the Taliban to the negotiating tables with the Afghan government – despite the insurgent group’s unprecedented winter campaign of violence this year.
Their ongoing battle, which usually ends in winter, has triggered alarm among the public who worry about the group’s strength and ability to continue their war.
As hope grows however over the resumption of stalled peace talks with the Taliban, analysts and leaders of various Afghan political parties have been rallying behind government but urge caution when negotiating with the group.
“Four countries will determine the road map and then negotiations will be started but there are some elements who want to undermine the negotiations,” said Mohammad Natiqi an advisor to the CEO.
“Compared to other meetings, the one we had [on Monday] with Pakistan’s national security adviser is very promising and they said strictly those government oppositions, Taliban or whoever they are, if they want peace we welcome them and those who do not want peace we will suppress them and they said it is our government’s policy,” said Ahmad Sayede an Afghan political analyst.
Politicians however have called on Afghan government officials to take the nation into its confidence before brokering a deal with the Taliban – which has been fighting the government since it was toppled from power in 2001.
“As the government failed in other works it also failed in the peace process,” said Anwar ul-Haq Ahadi, the chairman of Afghanistan’s New National Front party.
While concerns grow over the possibility of a surge in Taliban attacks next summer, political parties have asked government to enter the peace dialogue with the Taliban from a position of strength.
“The government needs to be open with government forces and the people as the people have the right to know about the plan of how peace will come to exist. Because peace is a national process not a government process but so far the government did not do this,” said Ahmad Wali Massoud, a former Afghan ambassador to the UK.
This comes after some politicians accused the present government of failing to control the war effectively.
“We will consider these negotiations as a good omen and the government may be ready and this time take steps so the negotiations end in the interests of Afghanistan’s people but I don’t think the negotiations will end by March or April,” said Sayed Ishaq Gilani, National Salvation Party chairman.
Observers monitoring the situation in Afghanistan have been saying that a surge in violence by the Taliban is a push by the group to gain more incentives in future talks.http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/23295-analysts-optimistic-over-islamabad-talks-on-afghan-peace
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