Reports by Pakistani media say that officials in Islamabad have agreed to hold talks between US and Taliban officials as the group “refuses” to meet the Afghan government delegation.
Pakistan’s Geo News reported that US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad, who visited Islamabad on Thursday, has told Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi that Taliban were reluctant in meeting the Afghan government and announcing a ceasefire. The report says that Khalilzad has asked Islamabad to play its role.
Geo News quotes diplomatic sources as saying that Pakistan decided to invite the Taliban to go to Islamabad and hold talks there.
Qureshi has promised Khalilzad that Islamabad will cooperate with Kabul on the Afghan peace process.
“US Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad called on FM Shah Mahmood Qureshi at MoFA. He briefed FM Qureshi on his recent engagements in the region for Afghan peace and reconciliation process. The FM assured Amb Khalizad of Pakistan's support for the peace process,” Mohammad Faisal, spokesperson of Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs tweeted on Friday.
On Jan. 16, Taliban warned to pull out of further peace talks with US officials and called “tactical pressure” by Washington as a reason behind their decision.
“Peace will come if the process goes ahead honestly. Honesty should be assured from both sides, from government and the United States. Peace cannot be achieved with pressure. Pressure will fuel war and insecurity,” said Sayed Akbar Agha, a former Taliban member.
President Ashraf Ghani in a phone conversation with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Jan. 17 discussed the issues around Afghan-lead and Afghan-owned peace process.
Presidential Palace said Ghani has asked Khan to visit Kabul.
Former National Security Advisor Mohammad Haneef Atmar, who joined the race for presidential elections on Friday, said government lacks a clear policy for peace talks.
“Government’s policy for peace is not a clear and enough. They talk about bringing peace within the next five years. Why people should wait for another five years?” Atmar asked.
The efforts for peace accelerated after the US appointed Khalilzad as Special Representative for Afghanistan reconciliation last year in September to facilitate direct talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.