Afghanistan Times
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In the wake of Afghan Taliban leaders reluctance to talk with US in presence of Saudi and UAE officials at Riyadh on January 13, now they (Taliban) also rejected to hold talks with the US Special Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad in Doha Qatar which was set for today January 9. Whatever might be reasons for refusing to talk in Riyadh and Doha but one thing is very clear that Taliban leaders are under tremendous pressure for face to face talks with the Afghan government or members of peace commission. Soon after refusal of Taliban to talk with the Afghan government representatives, Afghanistan’s special envoy Muhammad Omar Daudzai announced flying to Islamabad on Tuesday. Daudzai is going to talk with Pakistani officials in on ongoing peace efforts. In particular, Daudzai likely to remind Pakistan of its frequent promises and commitments regarding “playing a role in face to face” talks between Afghan government and Taliban leaders. Similar promises also made by Saudi Arab and UAE. No one can neglect, Pakistan’s influence over Taliban since early mid of previous 90’s when these scattered Afghans have been made united against what it called warring war made self styled commanders on the slogans of going to bring peace. In recent months, the US Special Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad made frequent flights to the region and held several rounds of face to face talks with Taliban leaders. On concluding of each and every round, Pakistan, Saudi Arab and UAE high ups have not made jubilation but even they claimed breakthrough to the deadlock between Afghan government and Taliban. Taliban group willing to talk with American, Pakistan, Russian, Chinese and other foreign countries but they are reluctant to talk with the Afghan government. Taliban are not only insisting on their demands pertained to pulling US troops out of Afghanistan but even they are demanding a free zone along with crossing points with Pakistan. Acceptance or honoring of such type of demands could be nothing else, disintegration of Afghanistan. There already exists unprecedented polarization in regional countries like India, Pakistan and Iran. And allocation of a safe zone to Afghan Taliban would definitely affect the whole South Asian Region, which might be harmful to global peace. Instead of believing in hallow claims and commitments of certain stakeholders, Afghanistan needs to remain careful and alert at this crucial stage. Certain legacies of previous British Colonial era are bent up restoration of the Sikh Raaj in the region, which has badly affected Afghanistan couple of centuries ago. Through one or other pretext certain visible and invisible hands are making attempts to fuel war flames in Afghanistan for meeting own and master’s nefarious designs. Militants remain loyal to foreign mentors and sponsors are holding frequent parlays along with Durand Line for discussing strategies to overcome and exploit the situation in Afghanistan. Now at this crucial stage, responsibility rests with the Afghan politico-socio, religious leaders, tribal chieftains and law makers to be alert for saving the motherland of plunging into irreversible crises in future like of recent past happenings.
