United States and Afghan Taliban have reportedly almost reached a peace deal to be announced in the coming few days, but the road ahead is 'bumpy' with numerous challenges needing to be addressed. The breakthrough came during the ongoing 9th round of peace talks in Doha, which, according to diplomatic sources, will continue for some more days to finalize the implementation phase of the deal.
They said the crucial point - the timeframe for the US and other foreign troops' withdrawal from Afghanistan - has also been finalized. However, the two sides have yet to make an announcement with reports suggesting that the US and other foreign troops will withdraw from war-torn Afghanistan in 15 to 24 months. This, according to the sources, will be linked to guarantees given by the Taliban that Afghan soil will not be used as a launch pad for terror activities against any other country.
Beginning in October 2018, the US and Afghan Taliban held eight rounds of talks and the ongoing session in Doha is said to be crucial which would set the stage for separate talks between Kabul administration and the Taliban on a permanent ceasefire and power-sharing for a future setup. "It is not an easy process and there are complexities involved. But it is encouraging that the two sides are willing to move forward," a diplomatic source said, adding that after the final agreement is announced between the US and the Taliban, the next phase of talks will be between the Afghan government and the Taliban most likely in Norway.
Taliban have so far refused to hold talks with the Kabul administration describing it as a US 'puppet' and previously indicated that talks with the Afghan government will be held only after the peace deal with the US is finalized. Talking to Business Recorder, Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal said that Pakistan hopes that the ongoing dialogue between the US and the Taliban will have a positive outcome.
"As a shared responsibility, Pakistan is sincerely facilitating international efforts aimed at bringing peace and stability in Afghanistan and we believe in an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace process," he said, adding that Pakistan remains supportive of the Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace process.
He added that the government of Pakistan has a clear vision about and approach to the peace and reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan. "We believe that a final and durable solution in Afghanistan, which would be a victory for the Afghans, the regional countries and the international community, has to be fully Afghan-led and Afghan-owned," he said.
He said that it would also require a strong and consistent support in the medium to long run of the international community, of which Pakistan would remain a part. Talking to Business Recorder, Rahimullah Yusufzai, a senior analyst and expert on Afghan affairs, said that significant progress has been made during the ongoing peace talks between the US and the Taliban. However, he cautioned about the 'spoilers', saying that the road ahead is not that easy and there is a need to keep an open eye on the challenges and hardships in the peace process.
"The US has made up its mind to pull out from Afghanistan before its 2020 elections. We must keep in mind that there are elements within Afghanistan and the region that are not happy with the peace process," he said. Referring to the recent terror attacks in Afghanistan and the accusations leveled against Pakistan by certain politicians, he pointed that the Afghan government is also eager to initiate talks with the Taliban as soon as possible and there is some frustration within the Afghan politicians who believe that "Pakistan is still influencing the Taliban".
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