Concrete progress on Afghan talks awaited: US envoy
ISLAMABAD: US Special Envoy for Afghan Peace and Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad has said he awaits “concrete progress” on Afghan peace talks.
The envoy on the second day of his current trip to Pakistan on Friday met Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
In a tweet after his meeting with Mr Qureshi, Ambassador Khalilzad said he had a “good meeting” in which “the important role regional countries like Pakistan have in helping deliver peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan” was discussed.
Mr Qureshi, he said, assured him of Pakistan’s support. “I look forward to concrete progress,” he added.
However, in a late night development, Taliban spokesman poured cold water on hopes of an immediate breakthrough by denying reports about an impending meeting with US side.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid tweeted: “Rumors about some meeting between US representative @US4AfghanPeace (Zalmay Khalilzad) & representatives of Islamic Emirate in Islamabad are untrue.”
PM Khan tells Zalmay Khalilzad Pakistan remains committed to facilitating peace process in Afghanistan
Ambassador Khalilzad had reached Islamabad on Thursday and met Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua and Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa.
The visit is taking place against the backdrop of a deadlock in talks between the United States and Taliban over initiation of a reconciliation process. The impasse has been caused by Taliban’s refusal to talk to the Afghan government.
The US had initiated direct contacts with the Taliban in July last year, but the recent most meeting in Abu Dhabi last month was facilitated by Pakistan after President Donald Trump requested Prime Minister Imran Khan to help in the reconciliation process. Washington has, therefore, ramped up pressure on Islamabad to play its role in overcoming the gridlock and moving towards intra-Afghan dialogue.
Prime Minister Khan and Army Chief Gen Bajwa had on Thursday reaffirmed their support for peace talks. Mr Khan reiterated that position during his meeting with Ambassador Khalilzad and said Pakistan remained committed to facilitating the peace process in Afghanistan.
Reports indicate that Pakistan is making efforts to arrange a meeting between the US envoy and Taliban representatives so that they could negotiate the way out of the deadlock. Although it is not clear what steps were being taken by Pakistan to coax the Taliban back into talks with the US, there were reports earlier in the week that Pakistani authorities briefly detained a senior Taliban figure, Hafiz Mohibullah, from Peshawar to pressure the insurgent leaders based here to resume contacts with US officials.
A VoA report said Pakistani officials appeared confident about bringing the two sides to the negotiating table. However, the official sources cited in the report maintained that the responsibility for the “success or failure” of the fledgling Afghan peace process rested “exclusively” with the two negotiating sides.
Foreign Minister Qureshi had last week while talking to Dawn said: “We want them to sit together. It is for Afghans to sort out their problems and as long as they do not sit down and talk to each other, outsiders can do little to help them.”
Published in Dawn, January 19th, 2019
Comments (37) Closed
The USA can not pressure Pakistan. Imran Khan is not Pervaiz Musharif. Imran Khan will talk on equal level. Ramping pressure on Pakistan is out of question.
One small step at a time... Peace s l o w l y coming into sight!
Gordon D. Walker
Canada
Keep waiting, in a wait room.
Afghan Taliban seems not interested anymore in peace and formal talks.
@Gordon D. Walker, you comment on all the news.
Why no talk about Kashmir?
@Gordon D. Walker, hi Gordon... it’s interesting to see a Canadian with such interest in Pakistan politics... what has inspired that? :)
Lisa really needs to dress better. As for the topic on hand; has anyone even thought what the Afghans want? Perhaps they don't want to be the players of the political games of US, Russia, India and Pakistan.
@flying star, Which Kashmir, the one on Pakistan side?
USA, stop wasting everyone's time. Pack up and go.
In the history of rulers corrupts have never stopped Traitors ! No matter what they say or what they do.
@flying star, No comment about Shaksgam valley??
The blame game has started again. It is only Pakistan which should get the Taliban to hold peace talks with the ever peace loving American invading forces who only came to Afghanistan to restore permanent peace in the country.
Give it to China to bring peace in Afghanistan.
@Prakash, People of both seem to be on Pakistan's side. Is there on any other side?
The key word is "awaited".
@MANZOOR H JAFFERY, so why are you worried?
@Ehtesham, so do Zak and Salaria.
@Fastrack, US is not going anywhere.
@Prakash, Just ask any Kashmiri and you will know
@Pervez,
You Indians wish. But sadly for you that is the writing on the wall and announced by US themselves. By the way what's with this posing as a Muslim, dude?
@Ehtesham,
Dear Ehtesham: No comment!
Gordon D. Walker
Canada
Cannot trust this guy; let him rot.
“US Special Envoy for Afghan Peace and Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad has said he awaits “concrete progress” on Afghan peace talks.”
We all wish and pray for peace in Afganistan. US also desire peace in Afganistan. Every body want Pakistan to play positive role in this peace process . But US understand that US delegation must not play double game with Pakistan. There are reports that during Khalil Zalmdad visit to India , closed door meeting was held between US and Indian representative in which evil design against Pakistan was discussed. These things will not help peace process.
@MANZOOR H JAFFERY, ;
Of course Imran Khan is not Pervez Musharraf, but more importantly Imran Khan is not Nawaz Sharif or Zardari.
Indian trolls haven't yet realized that India is out of the game.
@FACT, You are Hallucinating.
@Atif Khan, According to survey, only few, some want to be independent, and some with India.
@Tamza, This guy is an Afghani, and can speak the language.
@MANZOOR H JAFFERY, US cannot pressure Pakistan, but has the power to impose sanctions, dear.
Kashmir issue is just as important to Pak as Afg is to US. Can the US help bring India to the negotiation table with Pak??? The answer is plain no. The US should think about the bigger picture before begging for help.
Lasting peace and tranquility in the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan could only be achieved when all the attacking, invading and occupying armed forces led by the U.S. and its so-called allies will unconditionally and unequivocally withdraw for good. Till that time, all peace talks, meetings and conferences notwithstanding, real peace will remain an illusion for the hapless, weak, vulnerable, feeble and helpless land and people of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and it's neighboring countries.
Qureshi seems to get along with everyone
IK should spent time on Pakistan economy; instead of getting involved with Afghanistan issue; let USA ask there best friend India to help them.
@Michael Habib ,
Dear Mr. Habib: Thank you for your thoughtful comment. Though I live in Canada, I consider myself a citizen of the world. Pakistan politics is a mirror on the entire Middle East. Cheers!
Gordon D. Walker Canada
@Sara, why can't we solve it? For last 70 years we are moving from one player to another without solving a single issue.
@Sara, It was the USA which invaded Afghanistan and caused unlimited murders and destruction otherwise. It has nothing to do with China except obtain their support for the cause of bringing peace and tranquillity to the region by requesting them for their help and support.