Strategic talks between Afg and Pak?!

[ComradePashtun]

Strategic talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan begins today

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Afghanistan has formally decided to begin strategic dialogue to boost cooperation in defence, security and Political fields.


The final approval to start strategic dialogue would be given by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani during his visit to Afghanistan along with top military brass today (Saturday).

The Premier would be accompanied by Chief of the Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and Director General Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) Lieutenant General Ahmed Shuja Pasha.

Defence Minister Ahmed Mukthar, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Finance minister Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, foreign state minister Hina Rabbani Khar and foreign secretary Suleman Bashir would also be among the PM’s delegation, sources informed Online.

The sources said that Gilani in his first ever visit accompanying top military brass, to Kabul, discuss security issues, including the situation on the Pakistan-Afghan border, issue of Afghan refugees and terrorism with Afghan leadership.

The country’s civil and military leadership would finalize arrangements to begin strategic dialogue between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The discussion would be held in two Phases. During fist Phase, sources said, Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kiyani and DG ISI Lt. Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha would hold talks with Afghan President, Afghan Army Chief and Afghan intelligence chief.
During the second Phase, DG ISI and Secretary foreign affairs Suleman Bashir would be meeting with Afghan leaders.

The sources said that foreign and interior level groups would be formed between the countries, adding that interior and foreign secretaries would be included in the foreign secretaries Group.
“The possibility of peace talks between the Taliban and Afghan government was also expected to be discussed”, a Private TV Channel quoted sources as saying.

[emkhan]

Is this not a big change coming in the region ?

[ComradePashtun]

Crucial Afghan talks today

ISLAMABAD: A high-level delegation led by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani will pay a daylong official visit to Kabul today (Saturday) to discuss host of issues of bilateral interest with Afghan government.
The crucial visit is in response to invitation of Afghan President Hamid Karzai to Prime Minister Gilani.

Others who would accompany the Prime Minister are Chief of the Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, DG ISI Lt. General Ahmed Shuja Pasha, Ministers of Defence, Interior, Finance, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar and Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir. Official sources told The Nation Friday that US troops’ pullout plan, war against terrorism, border crossing, Afghan Taliban reconciliation, repatriation of Afghan refugees and Pakistan- Afghanistan transit trade agreement would be discussed during the meeting.

“The purpose of the visit is to ensure that both the neighbouring countries are on the same page in tackling the bilateral challenges,” a senior government official said.

He was of the view that issue of reconciliation with Taliban would be discussed in the light of the proposal discussed in Ankara between President Asif Ali Zardari and his Turkish counterpart about permission to Taliban to open a political office in Ankara. The move is in line with the proposal to help facilitate Afghan Taliban leadership for talks with Afghan government to resolve the issue for lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan as well as the region.

The sources further said that Islamabad and Kabul would also formalise a bilateral strategic dialogue to boost cooperation in defence, security and Political fields. The sources were of the view that there would be two-tier level talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan, adding that Prime Minister Gilani, Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and DG ISI would hold talks with Afghan President, Afghan Army Chief and Afghan intelligence chief. Another meeting involving the DG ISI and Secretary Foreign Affairs Salman Bashir with Afghan leaders would follow this.

Both sides are expected to form working groups comprising officials from the foreign and interior minnistries of the two countries
The sources pointed out that the high-level meetings of the foreign and interior ministries as well as DG ISI with the COAS continued till late night to discuss issues. Prime Minister Gilani also called on President Zardari and took him on broad about the visit.

[randolph85]

what ever works.

[ComradePashtun]

emkhan,

I think this is the beginning. It will also depend on how Pakistan cooperates in the Taliban issue. Pakistan should play constructive role. I think this a good start nevertheless, both sides are trying to work out constructive mechanism that can dicatate each other's policy and cooperation towards the other. I honestly see it as a win win for both countries and the national interest of both countries' demands it such too.

[unknownprince]

these talks are all a public relations stunt. In reality the talks most likely center around the withdrawal of US from Afghanistan. Pakistan may be trying to see if they can have influence in the reconciliation that will take place once US leaves. You see, they have realized that the Taliban is an Afghan movement that has now garnered a lot of recognition from other world powers, including Russia and India (who have expressed their will to make contacts with the Taliban) In my opinion, this is too late for Pakistan, who have benefitted financially from US war against Afghans. As you see this war come to an end, Pakistan will most likely ratchet up their conflict with India over Kashmir. You see, the military needs a reason to exist otherwise the whole foundation of Pakistan collapses. Their collapse is going to happen because they linked themselves with the US, a nation that is fading away.

If there is no conflict with India, they will increase their operations against Balochistan, KP, and FATA. This will be their response to stay relevant, but they as their partners the US will fade away.

My two cents...

[emkhan]

I think it is to pressurize america as pakistani ISI chief's visit to america and meeting with CIA's chief was not fruitful so Pakistan is now trying to use other way to bring the CIA to the table and pressurize them to get the CIA agents out of Pakistan.

[ComradePashtun]

Ashraf,

I don't want this thread spoiled and want intelligent people to move this subject forward, not backward. If there is will and understanding, let me tell you that the few rag-tag rugheads are hardly an issue.

[ComradePashtun]

I think it is to pressurize america as pakistani ISI chief's visit to america and meeting with CIA's chief was not fruitful so Pakistan is now trying to use other way to bring the CIA to the table and pressurize them to get the CIA agents out of Pakistan.

I hope you do not disappoint me emkhan. Please explain.i

[unknownprince]

ok fine by me. Intelligent people, NOT, foolish, YES.

the few rag heads? what a statement. Well the few are many, more than you can imagine, and if it is not for them, Afghanistan would be heading towards slavery rather then freedom. Even Karzai knows this

[ComradePashtun]

Ok, lets just concentrate on the topic. My thinking rather is in a differnt context which I will discuss another time or when the topic systematically moves on. I do not disagree or agree with you.

Pakistan's role is crucial in ending this war as some rugheads are being hiden somewhere. I digress for now.

[emkhan]

I hope you do not disappoint me emkhan. Please explain.i

Look its very simple..
you may know about the recent visit of the ISI chief to the united states.
Chief put few demands to the chief of the CIA to cut down the number of the CIA agents working in Pakistan without the permission of Pakistan and moving in the country without any check and are also involved in killings as we saw in Raymond Davis case. ISI chief also demanded that from now CIA agents will work only under the permission of the Pakistan govt.
But all his demands were not taken seriously by the CIA and consequently rejected and further issued a note saying that it will continue the Drone attacks as usual.
So it seems that Pakistan establishment is not happy over this behaviour of the CIA and have decided to pressurizing them by adopting alternate ways.

[ComradePashtun]

Emkhan,

Excuse my ignorance, kindly enlighten me how that issue then relates to the Pakistan delegation visiting Kabul. Put things in clear perspective please, if you may.

[ComradePashtun]

emkhan,

As your keen on the issue of CIA presence in Pakistan and how it affects it's relation with US you my want to comment in a thread I have created in the news section specifically on the subject.

[emkhan]

It is to be decided by the two parties. We can only wait and lets see what happens in the upcoming days and what the American reaction comes over this.