ISLAMABAD: Top security advisers of Pakistan and Afghanistan have held high level talks in Kabul on Saturday to explore ways to bury the hatchet and to discuss prospects for reconciliation with the Taliban, officials said.
Pakistan National Security Adviser Lt. General (R) Nasser Khan Janjua has been invited by his Afghan counterpart Haneef Atmar for talks at a time when several initiatives are underway to encourage the Taliban to join the intra-Afghan dialogue.
“Both sides will work together and chalk out a way forward to improve bilateral relations and enhance cooperation particularly with reference to the peace initiative undertaken by the President of Afghanistan,” a statement from Janjua’s office said.
The NSA will also be meeting with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Chief Executive Dr. Abdullah Abdullah and intelligence chief Masoom Stanekzai, the statement said.
The meetings will be held two weeks after Pakistan backed President Ghani’s dialogue offer to the Taliban. Taliban, who have not commented on Ghani’s February 28 offer, however, they have dismissed such previous offers and called for direct talks with the United States.
“Pakistan fully acknowledges that peaceful Afghanistan means peaceful Pakistan. Both countries have a common future and common destiny. Pakistan is always prepared to work in a cooperative framework and provide every help to win peace in Afghanistan,” Janjua office said ahead of his visit.
Analysts in Pakistan believe the main purpose of the NSA talks in Kabul is to “reduce mistrust” between the two countries.
Imtiaz Gul, head of the Center for Research and Security Studies in Islamabad, says the visit is a major Confidence Building Measure (CBM) that could “open way for bilateral dialogue.”
“The visit will also underline Pakistan’s push on the Taliban to encourage them come to the negotiation table,” Gul told Arab News on Saturday.
Efforts are underway at different levels to push for political solution to the Afghan conflict at a time when the annual fighting season is fast approaching.
Taliban routinely begin ‘Spring Offensive’ in late April or early May. This year’s winter also witnessed a series of deadly Taliban attacks across the country, killing and injuring hundreds of security personnel and civilians.
Taliban political office confirmed in January that Taliban political representatives visited Pakistan and discussed the country’s proposals for political process. Taliban said they have also held consultations with representatives of China, Qatar and several other countries.
Uzbekistan has planned to host an international conference in Tashkent on peace in Afghanistan later this month.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid says Taliban have not been invited to the conference on Afghanistan, “Peace Process, Security Cooperation and Regional Connectivity” is scheduled to be held in Tashkent on March 26-27.
“We have not yet been invited. We will announce our stance if they invite us. We do not want to say anything now,” the spokesman told Arab News.
Pakistan National Security Adviser Lt. General (R) Nasser Khan Janjua has been invited by his Afghan counterpart Haneef Atmar for talks at a time when several initiatives are underway to encourage the Taliban to join the intra-Afghan dialogue.
“Both sides will work together and chalk out a way forward to improve bilateral relations and enhance cooperation particularly with reference to the peace initiative undertaken by the President of Afghanistan,” a statement from Janjua’s office said.
The NSA will also be meeting with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Chief Executive Dr. Abdullah Abdullah and intelligence chief Masoom Stanekzai, the statement said.
The meetings will be held two weeks after Pakistan backed President Ghani’s dialogue offer to the Taliban. Taliban, who have not commented on Ghani’s February 28 offer, however, they have dismissed such previous offers and called for direct talks with the United States.
“Pakistan fully acknowledges that peaceful Afghanistan means peaceful Pakistan. Both countries have a common future and common destiny. Pakistan is always prepared to work in a cooperative framework and provide every help to win peace in Afghanistan,” Janjua office said ahead of his visit.
Analysts in Pakistan believe the main purpose of the NSA talks in Kabul is to “reduce mistrust” between the two countries.
Imtiaz Gul, head of the Center for Research and Security Studies in Islamabad, says the visit is a major Confidence Building Measure (CBM) that could “open way for bilateral dialogue.”
“The visit will also underline Pakistan’s push on the Taliban to encourage them come to the negotiation table,” Gul told Arab News on Saturday.
Efforts are underway at different levels to push for political solution to the Afghan conflict at a time when the annual fighting season is fast approaching.
Taliban routinely begin ‘Spring Offensive’ in late April or early May. This year’s winter also witnessed a series of deadly Taliban attacks across the country, killing and injuring hundreds of security personnel and civilians.
Taliban political office confirmed in January that Taliban political representatives visited Pakistan and discussed the country’s proposals for political process. Taliban said they have also held consultations with representatives of China, Qatar and several other countries.
Uzbekistan has planned to host an international conference in Tashkent on peace in Afghanistan later this month.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid says Taliban have not been invited to the conference on Afghanistan, “Peace Process, Security Cooperation and Regional Connectivity” is scheduled to be held in Tashkent on March 26-27.
“We have not yet been invited. We will announce our stance if they invite us. We do not want to say anything now,” the spokesman told Arab News.
