The next round of negotiations between the Afghan Taliban and the government will be held in Qatar from next month. Pakistan has reiterated its commitment as the peace process makes encouraging progress towards a political solution to the conflict.
Pakistan’s role in the Afghan peace process was well-known but it is for the first the Foreign Office has acknowledged it facilitated breakthroughs including the historic US-Taliban peace agreement and the commencement of the intra-Afghan negotiations. The Foreign Office, however, has expressed concern over the ‘negative’ comments emanating from Afghan circles despite its role being appreciated in the international community.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani wanted the talks to move back home but it has been confirmed that the next round of negotiations will be held in Doha from January 5. The peace talks began on September 12 but are currently on a break after both sides agreed on the basic framework of discussions and religious interpretations. It took a visit by the Afghan Taliban to Islamabad including a meeting with the prime minister that the next round of talks are being resumed.
The next round of talks are critical as it relates to substantive issues relating to a comprehensive future political commitment and both sides must avoid accusations for the larger objective of lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan.
The plans for renewed negotiations come amid a surge of violence across Afghanistan in recent months, including Kabul, which has seen regular bomb attacks and targeted killings of prominent figures. This will be followed by the incoming Biden administration in USA which is expected to follow the policy and commitment to withdraw all foreign troops from Afghanistan by May next year.
Pakistan wants to move ahead of the peace process and has enhanced bilateral relations with Afghanistan. It is working to negotiate a free trade agreement and high-level contacts have increased. Both sides are also agreed to lay down a train link connecting with Central Asia. Pakistan has also opened trade routes with Afghanistan and has reduced duties on its products.
It must be emphasised that there is no military solution to the Afghan conflict and the only solution to the conflict through a political process is the only way forward. The blame game and subversive activities are detrimental to the Afghan peace process. It is imperative that both sides should move ahead and let the peace move reaches its logical conclusion.
