Afghanistan is a state which is viciously suffering from Chaos and Instability. The people of Afghanistan have been in the anguish of Wars since long, in a recent decade, it is being estimated that around more than 10,000 innocent people have been killed. Consequently, religious and ethnic hatred has been increased. Adding more to injury, corrupt regimes has become the very reason for unemployment. The precious natural resources are being plundered by the external forces. At the societal level, around 10 percent of the population is a drug addict. The rate of smuggling has been increased to 87 percent. Surely, Afghanistan cannot rehabilitate without the economic, educational, cultural, social and political prosperity.
In such an adverse situation, the National Stability of Afghanistan seems uncertain. So, there is dire need to address the major stumbling blocks and bargain an ultimate consensus among belligerents. In Afghanistan, long war failed to determine any military victory among belligerents.
On one hand, the Taliban wanted the complete evacuation of foreign forces out from Afghanistan to end this unfruitful war and to stop all types of sophisticated weapons including chemical weapons. They wanted the assistance of friendly countries like Russia for reconciliation. In addition to that, they wanted to set free all their prisoners from blacklist so that the Taliban can also live freely.
On another hand, currently, US cannot fulfill their demand as the US wanted to monitor the activities of China, Pakistan, Iran, and Russia in the most important region. The US wanted to give India the status of regional power in the region and wanted to counter China. If Russia will be successful to eradicate the stumbling blocks in the Afghan reconciliation process then It will be a great failure for the USA. As Russian are eager to find some common grounds for peace. In Moscow Conference, Russian Foreign Minister said that it would be a good option that Government and Taliban negotiate directly and put their stance on table talk. We will assure the Taliban, that their land will not be exploited any more by external powers. If China and Russia become successful to find a peaceful way of resolution then the strategic role of India and US in the South Asian region would be badly affected.
The new era of Peace Talks has been initiated after a violent period of war. Taliban’s are in a strong position and bends US Grand Strategy in Afghanistan to be flexible for Peace Talks. More than 70 to 75% of the land is practically under Taliban’s while the Afghan Government is fighting to take control of 132 districts. Chairman of US Joint Chief of Army Staff General Joseph Dunford said that the Taliban “are not losing” in Afghanistan, and much more need to be done to bring peace to the war-torn country but Taliban proved to a strong opponent. Dunford said that while there would never be a “military solution” on its own to bring peace to Afghanistan. it is in their interest to negotiate a political solution to the crisis with the government in Kabul
It is the reason that principled state like US, Afghanistan (Afghan Taliban-Afghan Government) and Pakistan along with regional players India, Iran, China, Central Asian States, Middle East, and Russia are extremely vigorous to play their role in Afghan Reconciliation Process. The vulnerable situation of Afghanistan is not only confined to its territorial boundaries but It is an alarming fact for the entire region. Peace is relative process and Peace in Afghanistan is essential for regional prosperity and its geographic factors keep Afghanistan in the limelight of Great game of powerful countries. The growing influence in India Pacific region instigates the US and other states to keep their boots in the ground.
US Deputy Foreign Minister Alice Wells, Mike Pompeo visited South Asia uninterruptedly. The reason behind their visits is none other than the safe exit from Afghanistan and political settlement. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that political negotiations are needed to end the 17-year conflict in Afghanistan. He said that the continued fighting in the war-torn country was “pointless and counterproductive. It is important to prevail stability under Afghan governance.
The flexible approach of states working on Conflict management, resolutions models and diplomatic tools resulted in different direct and indirect Talks between these states for peace-making. It included high official level meetings: Kabul Process, several bilateral, trilateral, quadrilateral and multilateral efforts, Murree Peace Process, Russia-China-Pakistan Trilateral Dialogue, US direct Talks with Taliban at Qatar, Moscow Conference in which 11 countries participated including Taliban, US special representative Zalmay Khalilzad meetings with different states, US high official’s various visits to South Asia. This peace initiative plays the role of catalyst to move the snail towards stability. Such steps are small and fragile but a ray of hope for Afghan that Peace can prevail.
US Special Representative for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad with US President Donald Trump’s new policy is looking for Pakistan’s assistance to persuade the Afghan Taliban to join the Afghan peace process. Washington urges Islamabad to play a key role in facilitating talks between the Afghanistan government and the Taliban. The Foreign Minister of Pakistan said that Pakistan is sincere to cooperate for a political settlement in Afghanistan because peace in Afghanistan is in Pakistan’s best interest. It is not the first time that Pakistan respects the sovereignty of Afghanistan and lets us give a chance to the people of Afghanistan to decide the fate of Afghan people.
Pakistan as a responsible state wanted a positive and balanced relationship with neighboring countries. Pakistan had sacrificed for war against terrorism but now it is not in a position to contribute more for more results. No state can sacrifice as Pakistan did for War against terrorism. Pakistan suffered 75,000 causalities in this war. Pakistan economy also suffered a loss of 123-billion-dollar due to war against terrorism while US aid was just 20 billion dollars.
Hence, a politically negotiated settlement is the only solution to end the Afghan crisis which can only be achieved by establishing peace with the Taliban and the Afghan government through constructive engagement and dialogue.
Pakistan “remains a critical partner” to America’s South Asia strategy but USA strategic policy towards Pakistan and Taliban remain miscalculated. After allegations and accusation, they are willing to make them part of the resolution. US should comprehend from the past statistics that the world can survive without USA intrusion and their boots on the ground.
