Possibilities for intra-Afghan talks are still bright: Former Ambassador

KARACHI: Former Ambassador, senior analyst and International Affairs Expert Dr. Jamil Ahmed Khan has said that the possibilities for intra-Afghan talks are still bright.

Dr. Jamil Ahmed Khan said in a statement that United States President Donald Trump has promised his people about the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan and the withdrawal of US troops is inevitable for Donald Trump in the US elections this year.

While expressing views on tensions in Afghanistan despite a peace deal, Dr. Jamil Ahmed Khan said that 50 countries of the world participated in US-Taliban peace deal have an eye on the deal and the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan is part of Donald Trump’s election campaign.

The former Ambassador further said that following a telephonic conversation between Donald Trump and Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani will not have much influence over the peace deal.

“Taliban are serious about peace in Afghanistan and have given a clear message to the whole world that they want to establish a positive relationship with the United Nations by leaving the war and participating in Afghanistan’s development,” he added.

He claimed that the world was witnessing the change in Taliban’s behavior and if Ashraf Ghani does not give up, then America has Abdullah as an alternative.

Dr Jamil Ahmed Khan has said that the success of the peace deal has become a necessity for the US in the context of US-funded conditions, adding that there should not be any hindrance from Ashraf Ghani in the peace deal because Ashraf Ghani has the support of United States.

The former ambassador further claimed that if United States removes compassion from Ashraf Ghani, he will have nothing left.

He concluded that there wasn’t any vote bank of Ashraf Ghani’s or any tribal credibility; however, Talibans are a fact that has caused the US to bow down to the Taliban.