PM Nawaz says working for revival of Afghan peace talks

[marwat]

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday said he is trying to revive peace between the Afghanistan government and Taliban after the latest round of talks was derailed by untimely news of the death of Taliban leader Mullah Omar.

Islamabad organised the first set of direct peace talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government in July, but another round was abandoned after the announcement of Taliban chief Mullah Omar's death.

Since then, the insurgents have unleashed a wave of violence, including seizing the northern Afghan provincial capital Kunduz in their most spectacular victory since being toppled from power in 2001.

“We are now trying to resume the (peace) process and pray to God to crown our efforts with success,” Sharif said in televised remarks to the media from Lahore.

“The news of Mullah Omar should not have been broken just before the start of the second round of talks.”

Pakistan has historically supported the Taliban insurgents and many Afghans accuse it of nurturing militant sanctuaries on its soil in the hope of maintaining influence in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan's deputy army chief this week said Pakistan's military had helped the Taliban to capture Kunduz and Pakistani generals had escaped the city wearing burqas – a claim Pakistan denied.

Related:Pakistan says Taliban occupation of Kunduz unacceptable

News of Mullah Omar's death created a rift among the insurgents, after they admitted that the death of the talismanic one-eyed group founder had been kept secret for two years.

The rumours of Mullah Omar's ill-health and even demise had regularly surfaced in the past, but Sharif questioned the timing of the announcement in July so close to talks aimed at brokering a ceasefire.

“I don't know who broke this news and why it was done so just two days before the start of the second round, is still a mystery,” he said.

Also Read: Pakistan ready to facilitate Afghan-Taliban peace talks: Sartaj

Pakistan's efforts to broker peace talks
Pakistan hosted a meeting between the Afghan Government and Afghan Taliban representatives on July 7 in Murree with representatives of China and the US also participating in the meeting.

The second round of the talks, which was scheduled to be held in Pakistan on July 31, was postponed in view of reports regarding the death of Mullah Omar and the ensuing leadership crisis among Taliban.

New Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansoor called for unity in the movement in his first audio message released August 1.

Mansoor gave mixed signals about the peace process, while vowing to continue jihad to implement Shariah in Afghanistan

[marwat]

Afghanistan should avoid speaking language of Pakistan's enemies: Nisar

QUETTA: Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Saturday said the Afghan leadership should not speak in the language of Pakistan’s enemies since “the two brotherly countries had cordial relations.”

Addressing a press conference in Quetta, the interior minister said terrorist acts inside Pakistan were being planned and executed from Afghanistan, of which Pakistan had proof.

Balochistan Chief Minister Dr. Malik Baloch and other high level officials were also present on the occasion.

“If international forces based in Afghanistan could not end terrorism, what can Pakistan do? Pakistan is not Afghanistan’s watchman.”

The interior minister said heinous terrorist attacks, including the Army Public School massacre, were planned in Afghanistan and that Pakistan had solid evidence to back this claim.

When asked about the prevailing tension between the two countries, Nisar said:

“The tension is unilateral. We are a responsible government, and soon after the army school attack, the army chief visited Kabul and shared information with the Afghan leadership.”

Responding to a question, the interior minister said there was solid proof of foreign intervention in Balochistan.

“For the first time, evidence of foreign intervention from Afghanistan, in Balochistan, Fata, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, was shared with the United Nations.

“Our permanent member Dr. Maleeha Lodhi shared information of intervention with the UN,” he said, adding that more sensitive information would be share with “other countries as well.”

In response to a question about Iranian violation of Pakistani territory, Nisar said the two countries had cordial relations and that Iran had been “repeatedly asked not to violate border protocol.”

“Iran must share information with us and avoid violating our territory,” he said.

On dialogue with disgruntled Baloch leaders, the interior minister said all out efforts were being made to find a political solution of issues relating to the province.

“We are in contact with Baloch leaders and we have started a process of reconciliation in the province.”

Earlier in the day, addressing the passing-out ceremony of the 57th batch of Frontier Corps (FC) Balochistan in Loralai, the interior minister vowed to secure every part of Balochistan and develop the province, saying that the security of the country was linked to the state of peace and stability in Balochistan.

“Nobody should have any misconceptions...the state will secure every inch of Balochistan and develop the province."

The future of Pakistan and Balochistan lies together, the minister asserted, adding that the security of the country was connected with peace and stability in Balochistan.

"The province will be developed and all ulterior motives of the enemy will be thwarted," vowed Nisar.

He hailed FC personnel for their sacrifices, valour and resolve to safeguard the country.

Drawing attention of the passing-out cadets, he said: “Your role is not only to fight terrorism, but also to win the hearts of the people."

“The entire world has its eyes on this region due to its resources,” he noted.

“But this land belongs to the Baloch and to Pakistan.”

He concluded his speech by paying tribute to "over 650 martyrs of the FC who laid their lives for the motherland".

“We are indebted to these brave sons of soil,” the minister said.

Pakistani security forces, striving to restore peace across the Balochistan, often engage with militants in parts of the province.

Pakistan accuses neighboring arch-rival India of sponsoring militants groups in Balochistan and other parts of country, of which it provided evidences to the United Nations (UN) secretary general during the 70th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, earlier this month.

A number of Baloch insurgents have also surrendered to the government in recent months, narrating the tale of how they were misled.

[marwat]

Kabul seeks crackdown on terrorists before peace talks

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Afghan government on Saturday asked Pakistan to defeat terrorist groups staging attacks in Afghanistan before the two countries could enter a discussion on the stalled peace process.

The comments come after Pakistan renewed its offer to facilitate a second round of talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.

Recently the Foreign Office in Islamabad said if the Afghan government and the Taliban were willing to hold talks, Pakistan was ready to facilitate the process.

Earlier, Pakistan’s National Security Advisor Sartaj Aziz and the army chief Gen. Raheel Sharif had renewed offers of cooperation with efforts for reviving the peace parleys.

But deputy presidential spokesman Syed Zafar Hashmi on Saturday said Pakistan should first eliminate terrorist groups, which used Pakistan soil for attacks inside Afghanistan.

“If Pakistan takes this step, Kabul will discuss the peace process with Islamabad,” he explained.

After the disclosure of Mullah Omar’s death, his successor Mullah Mansour had declared at his inauguration ceremony in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, that they would continue their war in Afghanistan.

The spokesman said President Ashraf Ghani had it made it clear that the Afghanistan conflict had two aspects – internal and external.

“As a country and government having a constitution, we have never closed our doors on Taliban for peace talks. Anyone who is ready to accept the Afghanistan constitution, we are ready to reconcile with them.”

He added the government would fight those hell-bent on war. “Pakistan should have the same definition for terrorism in Afghanistan it has been applying to terrorists on its own soil,” Hashmi said.

The first round of talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban took place in July this year brokered by Pakistan, with the US and China playing the role of observers.

The second round was scheduled to take place a month later, but the Taliban suspended the talks after the announcement of Omar’s death.

This was followed by a series of suicide attacks in Kabul, killing and wounding hundreds of people, prompting President Ghani to refuse his government’s participation in next talks.

[ComradePashtun]

As much Afghanistan badly needs peace, it must be pursued with rigour and forthright. Entering peace talks with Talibs when they have sanctuaries in Pakistan as well as the full backing of Pakistani establishment, whilst are unleashing violence, is nothing but self-defeatism. This will condemn Afghanistan to an endless path of destruction and misery and an even perpetual Paki meddling. Death to Talibi dogs and enemy of Afghanistan.

[ComradePashtun]

No need for the so called peace talks; this is a sham. Fighting them would be more dignifying than what i would call this to be surrender to Pakis. Death to traitors and shameless savages.

[Bengal_Tiger]

As much Afghanistan badly needs peace, it must be pursued with rigour and forthright. Entering peace talks with Talibs when they have sanctuaries in Pakistan as well as the full backing of Pakistani establishment, whilst are unleashing violence, is nothing but self-defeatism. This will condemn Afghanistan to an endless path of destruction and misery and an even perpetual Paki meddling. Death to Talibi dogs and enemy of Afghanistan.

Afghans enjoy the support of 3 nuclear superpowers who are all against the Taliban (Russia, China and India) as well as the rest of the neighbourhood. It's only the fact that Pakistan supports Afghanistan that sustains the Taliban, however if pressure is applied to Pakistan by China, Russia and others they will decrease or end their support for the Taliban.

The Taliban's pathetic display in Kunduz just reinforces the reality they can never regain power in Afghanistan.

[ComradePashtun]

BT

Every major attack they launch is paid with enormous and unrecoverable be it in manpower or material cost. Rather than strength their all out recent unleashing of violence are exhaustive and out of desperation. Their soon defeat in Konduz will have a knock on effect on them. Peace with them under current circumstances as i stated in my previous post is only further troubles for Afghanistan. You are effectively legitimising future violence and Pakistani meddling in Afghanistan. What a travesty, no thanks.

[ComradePashtun]

China and Russia are really not playing their due role. They have not helped Afghanistan (by extension themselves and every one) against the menace of terror and forces of instability which undermine not only our interest but theirs too. India is the only country that has so far stood by our side.

[Bengal_Tiger]

China and Russia are really not playing their due role. They have not helped Afghanistan (by extension themselves and every one) against the menace of terror and forces of instability which undermine not only our interest but theirs too. India is the only country that has so far stood by our side.

Yes, you are right. China and Russia have been disappointing and seem to have a soft-spot for Pakistan, but aside from that they view the collapse of Afghanistan and its fall to "Islamist" radicals as a major security issue, far more than Syria. In fact their joint (and it is despite Russia taking the main visible role, China is involved as well) effort in Syria shows how serious they are about combatting the menace of militant "Islamism".

So if things in Afghanistan go too far then they will step in, the fact that Putin is making noises with the temporary fall of Afghanistan's 5th largest town and the leader of Tajikistan has gone to Russia over this and they are announcing military action (deployment) of helicopters, shows how serious they take the Afghan situation. Kunduz was the 5th largest city, imagine the Russian reaction if the Taliban were to take the 4th, 3rd or even the second and first largest cities?

[Bengal_Tiger]

BT

Every major attack they launch is paid with enormous and unrecoverable be it in manpower or material cost. Rather than strength their all out recent unleashing of violence are exhaustive and out of desperation. Their soon defeat in Konduz will have a knock on effect on them. Peace with them under current circumstances as i stated in my previous post is only further troubles for Afghanistan. You are effectively legitimising future violence and Pakistani meddling in Afghanistan. What a travesty, no thanks.

If we were to go by the (false) narrative of the Taliban-supporters on this forum, drinking Cola and eating burgers in the west and enjoying liberal democracy and capitalism, then the Taliban are a "resistance" movement enjoying wide popular support (especially in rural areas).

Going by that narrative then this "popular national liberation army" would enjoy such popularity and support that after taking Kunduz they would have the resources to administer Kunduz. Going by this narrative, life under the national government would have been so unbearable that there would have been so much support for the Taliban from the professional middle classes that they need to administer Kunduz and elsewhere.

The fact is the Taliban are nothing but goons who themselves know they are not capable of governing a single city let alone a nation-state as large as Afghanistan.

Their implicit admission of their inability to retain control of Kunduz, with its accompanying implicit message that they lack the support and intellectual manpower, just highlights how weak they are.

The temporary fall of Kunduz rather than showing how strong the Taliban are, shows how weak they are.

[ComradePashtun]

Nothing further would fall. Russian policy i believe are anchored around Americans having hard time and checked. Russians probably hate Pakis and the country has no value to them but some of the recent diplomacy which Pakis brag about are calculated moves to counter the U.S.

[Bengal_Tiger]

Nothing further would fall. Russian policy i believe are anchored around Americans having hard time and checked. Russians probably hate Pakis and the country has no value to them but some of the recent diplomacy which Pakis brag about are calculated moves to counter the U.S.

Kabul probably knows that the Taliban are a spent force and can never take power. However they can keep Afghanistan unstable and not a place where normal economic activity and foreign investment can take place.

The main security issue for Kabul now is to make the Taliban so weak that Chinese, Korean, Japanese, German and other companies feel comfortable in investing. If China and others can be persuaded to lean very hard on the Pakistani regime and military to stop their support for the Taliban then Afghanistan can grow economically.

[tilla_jogian]

Afghans enjoy the support of 3 nuclear superpowers who are all against the Taliban (Russia, China and India) as well as the rest of the neighbourhood. It's only the fact that Pakistan supports Afghanistan that sustains the Taliban, however if pressure is applied to Pakistan by China, Russia and others they will decrease or end their support for the Taliban.

The Taliban's pathetic display in Kunduz just reinforces the reality they can never regain power in Afghanistan.

You are quite retarded, two of the nuclear superpowers have bombed afghanis to death and India is anything but superpower lol

So much for support ....

[marwat]

let keep the china and russia out of this. problem is more internal

[DSM0305]

Making peace should be Afghanistan's first priority. No matter from which perspective we look, it will only benefit Afghanistan, both short termed and long termed.

Currently Pakistan's only trump card is Taliban. Which they can use indirectly as a blackmail. Now imagine if they happens to be part of the Afghan government. What will they be able to do, to have a barging toll against Afghanistan... nothing. If Taliban are part of the government, any support given to them will directly go the Afghan government.

In the other hand, the Pakistanis will still have major insurgency going on. Baloch independents movement and TTP. Afghanistan will be politically in better position. Afghans would be arranging the peace talks, not the other way around. Especially considering the close relation between Afghan Taliban and TTP.

The other plus side is, that Afghans can solely focus on eradicating corruption and improving the economy. As it currently stands, all our focus is directed toward combating insurgency, while the criminals runs wild. We will be able solve our internal problems and make an investing friendly environment.

If the reason people don't want to negotiate with Taliban is due to their brutality, then there exist far worse people in the government. So this statement will be invalid.

All in all, peace should be the first priority. It will give us more regional importance. We shouldn't expect China or Russia to come and save us, because they will not. In terms of importance, Pakistan is far more important than Afghanistan to them. They know, we know, that Afghanistan's economy and military is sustained by the US. Russia and China at their best will be able to win a few hearts and minds, but that their limit from political perspective. The only way Afghanistan will be a desirable partner for China and Russia is, if Afghanistan become worth investing in economically and militarily.

We can be in denial as much as we want, but the most important and essential thing for Afghanistan is peace right now.