Soils not to be used by terrorists: US seeks 'reliable' assurances from Pakistan, Afghanistan

The United States has sought 'reliable' assurances from Pakistan and Afghanistan to ensure that their respective territories are not used for terror activities against each other. Diplomatic sources told Business Recorder that this has been conveyed to the top civil and military leadership of the two countries, further reinforced during the visit of US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad to the two capitals - Islamabad and Kabul.
Khalilzad concluded his two-day visit to Pakistan on Friday after holding talks in Kabul and left for Doha for a crucial round of dialogue with Afghan Taliban to negotiate a possible peace deal. The 8th round of talks between the US and Taliban will take place in Doha soon and according to the diplomat, would be a 'decisive' round, as both sides have claimed significant progress in the previous round.
However, more discussions will be held on issues such as a possible ceasefire, a timeframe for complete withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, talks with Kabul administration and a possible power-sharing agreement for a future setup in Afghanistan.
He further stated that a breakthrough is expected in Doha talks on issues such as a possible ceasefire, timeframe for complete withdrawal of the foreign troops from Afghanistan along with other issues including intra-Afghan peace agreement. In a statement issued here Friday at the conclusion of Khalilzad's visit, the US Embassy said that the special representative held discussions with Pakistani leadership on developments in the Afghan peace process.
In his meetings with Prime Minister Imran Khan, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, and Chief of Army Staff General Javed Bajwa, Ambassador Khalilzad outlined the positive momentum in the Afghan peace process and the next steps. They also discussed the role Pakistan has played in support of the process and additional positive steps Pakistan can take, the statement added.
"As Ambassador Khalilzad discussed in Afghanistan and Pakistan, consolidating peace will require reliable assurances from Afghanistan and Pakistan that neither side's territory is used to threaten the other's. Such assurances on top of an intra-Afghan comprehensive peace agreement will allow for increased regional economic integration, connectivity, and development," the Embassy emphasized.
According to Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal, intra-Afghan talks are an internal political matter of Afghanistan, adding that Pakistan would continue to support an outcome acceptable to all Afghans in line with the efforts made by the US and the international community. "As the talks are continuing, we must not prejudge the conclusions," he said.
He said that Pakistan has been facilitating the peace process in good faith and as a shared responsibility of the international community to bring peace, security and stability in Afghanistan and the entire region. He said that Prime Minister Khan is personally committed to the Afghan peace process. "We will continue stressing for a comprehensive all-inclusive Afghan owned and Afghan led peace process and in this regard we are working with all stakeholders," he said.
"I would reiterate Pakistan's position on the peace process, which is to facilitate peace talks in good faith and as a shared responsibility. We have noted the outcome of the two-day intra-Afghan talks held in Doha last month, where the Afghan groups agreed on a broad road map for the future of Afghanistan. We hope that the next round of intra-Afghan talks would be more comprehensive and all-inclusive," he hoped.
He said that Pakistan has played a pivotal role in taking forward the peace process in good faith and our role in this regard has been widely acknowledged. However, sustainable peace and security in Afghanistan is a shared responsibility, he added. "The ultimate decision for a sustainable political settlement can only be made by the Afghans themselves. Pakistan will keep on supporting a peaceful, stable, united, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan. Nonetheless Pakistan's sincere and consistent support is a major boost for the ongoing peace efforts," the spokesperson told his weekly media briefing on Thursday.
Talking to Business Recorder, Rahimullah Yusufzai, senior analyst, said that it is in the best interests of both Pakistan and Afghanistan to ensure that their respective territories are not used for terror activities against each other. "This is very important for the US too and the assurances sought from both Pakistan and Afghanistan is understandable given the fact that Pakistan is providing refuge to Afghan Taliban and Afghanistan to the Pakistani Taliban [Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan]," he said.
He added that the upcoming round of talks between the US and Taliban is expected to conclude on a positive note and there are expectations that a timeframe be agreed for withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan, since it has been a fundamental demand of the Taliban from day one.
As far as dialogue between Taliban and Kabul administration is concerned he said that Taliban have not yet indicated a desire to hold talks with Kabul administration at this stage. "I think the talks between Taliban and Kabul administration are only possible after a peace agreement with the US is reached," he added.