Afghanistan Times
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Amidst intensifying peace effort on the part of US special envoy and Afghan leaders as well, Taliban’s announcement pertained to so-called Spring Offensive could be considered a move to derail the recently developed understanding amongst the different Afghan groups and individuals. Hours after the Taliban announced their so-called spring offensive, the US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad, who has held five rounds of talks with Taliban members, said the announcement is “reckless” and is “indifference” to the demands of Afghans for peace. Ironic to mention Taliban’s such announcement was followed Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi presser whereas he had claimed reaffirmation of Pakistan’s stance of helping peace and reconciliatory efforts and desirous for an end to violence in Afghanistan. Such announcements and reaffirmations now has not only made surprising the Afghans but it could be considered “writing on the walls.” However, Zalmay Khalilzad has termed Taliban announcement an “irresponsible,” which according to him aimed at increasing violence as the government announced a security plan.” In a tweet, Khalilzad has pointed out. “the Afghan people have clearly voiced their desire for peace,” adding “through this announcement, Khalilzad said, Taliban leaders demonstrate their “indifference” to the demands of Afghans across the country. On behalf of US, Khalilzad has denounced Taliban announcement and suggested the Afghans to do so. Khalilzad said that such a statement is not only detrimental to recent commitments made by Taliban leaders but it is also contrary to promises and assurances made before Qatar, Pakistan and other countries. On such grounds, he called up on Pakistan, Qatar, and other nations that want peace in Afghanistan to do the same.”
“The US and our international partners will stand with Afghan security forces to continue our effort to end the war in Afghanistan, at the same time as we seek to bring parties to the table to negotiate peace,” Khalilzad reiterated. Soon after Taliban statement, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi through a statement reaffirmed what he called their firm stance on return of peace and stability in Afghanistan but he didn’t criticize or denounced Taliban statement regarding Spring Offensive in clear words. It seems that Taliban’s announcement is meant resuming of fighting and violent acts in already war stricken country. The Afghan government and the Resolute Support Mission also reacted to the announcement. A spokesman of the Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan, Dave Butler, said the coalition forces will continue to support the Afghan forces in the fight against the Taliban as the group has chosen violence despite an “amazing” opportunity forces. “The Taliban made an announcement this morning that they choose violence over peace. We assemble the Resolute Support leadership together and Gen. Miller said the Taliban have made it clear that they have ignored the will of the people and have guaranteed more violence,” Butler said. “We have a tremendous opportunity for peace. We are closer to peace than we ever have been in the past 40 years.” Time and again almost of the Afghan leaders, religious figures, scholars, intellectuals and common men are voicing and reconciliation as they have been made fed up by prolong hostilities. All such issues could easily be resolved through table talks. Most recently ice melted top long standing conflicts in Moscow moot, whereas the Taliban representatives mixed within delegates from Kabul. Announcement of Taliban spring offensive was far from expectation.
