Aug 10 , 2015
News
Resumption of peace talks will lower Afghan violence: Pakistan
*Sartaj Aziz tells VoA Pakistan can persuade Taliban to re-engage in talks with Afghan government only after the group resolves its leadership problem
INPWASHINGTON: Pakistan said on Sunday the spike in deadly terrorist attacks across Afghanistan underscores the need for peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.
Afghans are once again pointing fingers at Pakistan, alleging their neighbour is not preventing the Taliban from using its territory for staging the attacks, VoA in a report said.
Prime Minister’s National Security Adviser Sartaj Aziz dismissed those charges, saying there are “all kinds of (militant) factions” operating in Afghanistan making it difficult to ascertain who is behind the bloodshed.
“We very much condemn all the terrorist attacks in Kabul and other parts of Afghanistan and we have constantly worked with the Afghan government to try to restrict movements across the borders so that no terrorist goes from here to commit any act there,” Aziz said.
Pakistan brokered and hosted inaugural talks between the Afghan government and Taliban officials in early July, but Mullah Omar’s death prompted the insurgent group to pull out of the next round of negotiations.
Aziz said Pakistan could persuade the Taliban to re-engage in talks with the Afghan government only after the group resolves its leadership problem.
“We have been of course urging the Taliban to talk rather than fight because ultimately fighting is not a solution,” Aziz said.
“I think the first round was very productive and I hope the second round will take place before long once the leadership issue is decided because whom they represent it is not yet clear whether there will be unanimity on the new leadership or not,” he added.
Senior Pakistani officials told VoA that despite attempts by “spoilers and detractors” in Afghanistan to hamper improved bilateral cooperation, leaders in both countries remain closely engaged to further the reconciliation process.
Pakistan is working with “outmost sincerity” and is “positive” about the future of Afghan peace talks, the officials insisted, requesting anonymity.
They went on to say that Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s discussions with Pakistan’s military chief, General Raheel Sharif, following the disclosure of Mullah Omar’s death, were “extremely positive” and both sides “remain on course”.
General John Campbell, US commander of NATO’s Afghan Resolute Support Mission, speaking in Washington last week also praised Pakistan’s role in promoting peace in Afghanistan.
Campbell said Pakistan’s military chief and Afghan leaders appear determined to further cement bilateral counterterrorism cooperation and promote regional stability.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk