Afghan govt says open to talks if Taliban end hostility

It seems Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was made to listen more than talk when he met US President Barack Obama, said a Pakistani daily.

It is Pakistan which has chosen terrorism as the instrument of state policy.

Behind the cordial notes emerging from Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit to Washington, the Obama administration, with Afghanistan on its mind, seems to have done a few straight talk on terror groups thriving on Pakistani soil.

Speaking in Washington a day after talks with Obama, Sharif had said that Pakistan was ready to help Afghanistan revive peace talks with Taleban rebels. Pakistan has previously sought US intervention in peace process, while India wanted it strictly bilateral without any interference of a third party.

Obama “stressed the importance of avoiding any developments that might invite increased risk to nuclear safety, security, or strategic stability”, a White House statement said as quoted by Reuters.

The Taliban leaders have always been saying they would hold talks with Afghans after they reach a deal on ending the 15-year-old invasion by the USA and its North Atlantic Treaty Organisation allies.

The meeting comes as the White House increasingly shifts its focus in South Asia to Pakistan’s bitter rival India.

Last week, White House spokesman Josh Earnest acknowledged the discussions about a potential deal – which are reportedly motivated by USA concerns that small tactical nuclear weapons from Pakistan’s arsenal could fall into the wrong hands.

PM Nawaz Sharif said in his address to the UN General Assembly, he proposed a new peace initiative that could serve the basis for progress towards normalization of relations between the two countries.

Pakistan and the USA have expressed the resolve to continue working together to counter emerging threats such as ISIL in South Asia.

Outlining his vision of a peaceful neighbourhood, Sharif reiterated his commitment to remain engaged with the Afghan leadership to enhance mutual coordination in dealing with the common challenges of terrorism and promoting peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.

The Pakistani leader assured that action would be taken against the Haqqni network and the Taliban pushed to the peace talks.

Sharif, who is on a State visit to the US from October 20 to Oct. 23, informed Obama about Pakistan’s actions against U.N.-recognized terrorist individuals and entities including Lashkar-e-Taiba ( Let) and its affiliates, Dawn reported. Because of India’s objection, Pakistan has had trouble securing funding for these dams, with prospective investors – the ADB, China and Russian Federation – asking Pakistan to procure a No Objection Certificate from India.

The Pak-U.S. joint statement is significant as both leaders have underscored the need for a negotiated settlement because the military option over the past 15 years has failed.