Latest News
Deadlock in Peace Talks, Increase in Violence Raises Concerns
Members of the Afghanistan Republic’s negotiating team said Sunday they have not held talks with the Taliban in the past month.
Talks started two months ago but the two sides have not yet been able to agree on the basic framework for talks going forward.
“Taliban feels that they are in a good position. Taliban feels that they have won politically and militarily, because of this the talks take a lot of time,” said Fawzia Koofi, a member of the Afghan negotiating team.
Qatar, however, has played a role as mediator but has not managed to break the deadlock.
Afghan negotiating team members say they have suggested four different options to break the deadlock but the Taliban insists the US-Taliban deal must be the base for the Intra-Afghan talks.
“Afghans should be concerned because they have not shown green light. The unclear stance increases concerns,” said Zafnoon Safi, a member of the Wolesi Jirga, or Lower House of Parliament.
On the other hand, violence has increased across the country and many Afghan forces’ outposts have been targeted but Taliban reject claims they are behind the incidents.
Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) said that the increase in violence is not acceptable and could overshadow peace talks.
“Peace talks will be overshadowed, if the war continues, and peace talks will not be effective despite the war,” said Naeem Nazari, deputy head of AIHRC.
Analysts believe that the new US administration will shed light on the fate of the peace talks.
This comes amid reports that outgoing US president Donald Trump is planning an early withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan.
He recently appointed a new acting Pentagon chief to accelerate the withdrawal of US forces.
Pakistan says communities living along the Afghanistan-Pakistan Durand Line want peace and stability, despite ongoing security concerns in the region.
Speaking during a weekly media briefing, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said there are no major issues between the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan, adding that residents on both sides of the Durand Line want peaceful relations and greater regional stability.
However, Andrabi claimed that terrorism originating from Afghan territory continues to undermine peace efforts.
He said Islamabad believes militant activity crossing from Afghanistan remains a significant obstacle to improving regional security and bilateral ties.
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has repeatedly rejected such allegations, maintaining that no militant group is allowed to use Afghan soil to threaten neighboring countries.
Andrabi also said Pakistan remains diplomatically engaged on regional matters involving Afghanistan, Iran, India, and Somalia, stressing that dialogue and diplomacy remain Islamabad’s preferred means of resolving disputes.
Latest News
Afghanistan-Gambia ties discussed during Doha meeting
Both sides also exchanged views on strengthening diplomatic engagement and exploring future economic cooperation.
Suhail Shaheen, head of the Islamic Emirate’s embassy in Doha, has met with Omar Jah, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of The Gambia to Qatar, to discuss bilateral relations and areas of mutual interest.
According to a statement from the Afghan embassy in Doha, Jah also oversees Gambian diplomatic affairs related to Afghanistan.
The meeting focused on Afghanistan-Gambia relations, the current security situation in Afghanistan, and potential investment opportunities in the country.
Both sides also exchanged views on strengthening diplomatic engagement and exploring future economic cooperation.
Mahmood Khan Achakzai, a member of Pakistan’s National Assembly and head of the Pakhtunkhwa Awami National Party, has said that if capable statesmen had been in power, people living on both sides of the Durand Line could have moved freely across the line.
Speaking during a podcast interview, Achakzai said that countries with histories of major conflict, including Russia, Germany and the United Kingdom, now maintain far more open borders despite past wars. He said that in many such regions, only a “paper line” remains, with limited border restrictions.
Drawing comparisons with the disputed Durand Line boundary between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Achakzai argued that a similar arrangement could have been possible in South Asia.
“What is the problem here? A Punjabi could dance in Kandahar and a Pashtun could come here. Even if we are not formally one country, we could have effectively functioned like one,” he said.
The Pakistani politician also referred to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the later U.S.-led intervention, saying Afghanistan has the right to seek war reparations from those countries to support reconstruction efforts.
Achakzai further criticised the treatment of Pashtuns in Pakistan, alleging that individuals in cities including Lahore and Karachi have faced detention and deportation.
Jalal Jalali discusses health cooperation with head of CDE in Kabul
Pakistan says cross-Durand Line communities seek peace and stability
Afghanistan-Gambia ties discussed during Doha meeting
Ariana Snooker Championship Season 2 set to kick off next week
Pakistan’s Achakzai calls for freer movement across disputed Durand Line
Bayat Power extends gas supply deal with Afghan Gas
Etihad Airways to expand Kabul–Abu Dhabi flights to daily service amid surging demand
Afghanistan’s new cricket head coach Richard Pybus arrives in Kabul
Afghanistan moves toward self-sufficiency in car battery production
ATN seals Ariana Snooker Championship deal for five seasons
Tahawol: Diplomatic turn in Iran–US confrontation discussed
Saar: Expanding interaction between countries and IEA discussed
Tahawol: Deportation of Afghan refugees from Germany discussed
Saar: Criticism over Pakistan’s policies discussed
Tahawol: Pakistan’s dual policy on Afghanistan
-
World4 days agoTrump says US could restart Iran strikes ‘if they misbehave’
-
Regional4 days agoIran says it has received US response to its latest offer for talks
-
Business4 days agoAfghan economic commission approves 12 major development projects across key sectors
-
Sport3 days agoAfghanistan set for Maldives four-nation tournament
-
Latest News4 days agoUN warns funding cuts are slowing mine clearance efforts in Afghanistan
-
Business3 days agoKazakhstan grain exports to Afghanistan jump sharply
-
Latest News4 days agoAfghan officials say media should align with Islamic and national values
-
Tahawol4 days agoTahawol: Efforts for US-Iran agreement