Gov’t warns Pakistan to take practical steps for peace process

The Afghan government has warned Pakistan to take practical steps for eradicating terrorism and persuading Taliban for Peace Talks, otherwise the country would not trust on it.

President’s deputy spokesman, Dawa Khan Mina Pal considers Islamabad’s role very essential in combating with terror groups in its soil.

“Pakistan’s measures for eradicating terrorism is very important. We would not trust Pakistan until its commitments not fulfilled,” Dawa Khan Mina Pal, president’s deputy spokesman said.

For the past several years, Pakistani officials have deflected American and Afghan requests to shut down the sanctuaries that the Afghan Taliban and Haqqani network enjoy in their country and cut off support to the insurgency from Pakistan’s Inter-Service Intelligence Agency by offering help in promoting peace talks.

Pakistan’s interest in a negotiated settlement to the Afghan war seems real enough, but the Pakistani military has never been willing to take the very steps most likely to advance the process, which are to close down Afghan Taliban and Haqqani network operations in Pakistan and imprison any of their leaders not actively negotiating peace with the government in Kabul.

Meanwhile, the High Peace Council (HPC) considers opportunities limited for Taliban’s joining the peace process; emphasizing the Afghan government has no expectation from Pakistan to bring peace in the country anymore.

“After the recent deadly attack in Kabul, opportunities become limited for Taliban,” said Abdul Khaibar Oqchun, deputy of HPC.

The Taliban has stepped up attacks in Afghanistan, particularly after announcing the start of spring offensive last week.

Analysts are also demand for President’s clear policy against Pakistan.

“President Ghani should take a clear policy against Pakistan that includes the opinions of Afghans and the world,” Ahmad Saeedi, political analyst said.

This comes as the United States State Department has publicly acknowledged that it asked Pakistan to take concrete action against the Haqqani network after last week’s massive car bombing in Kabul.