Afghan gov’t, Taliban agree to resume talks

Officials from Pakistan, the USA and China are also participating in the talks, which shows the commitment of the global community to resolving the crisis.

PEACE talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban ended positively, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said yesterday.

Taliban suicide bombers attacked a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation convoy and an office of Afghanistan’s spy agency on Tuesday in Kabul. He believes the Taliban involved in Tuesday’s meeting did not represent the whole of the insurgent group and a that peace deal cannot be reached without a confirmation of the peace talks by the official Taliban spokesmen.

While Taliban figures of varying significance have met with Afghan leaders in the past, the group has often said afterward that they were acting as private individuals, not in their official capacities. It was agreed that for lasting peace in the region, each side would approach the process in sincerity and with full commitment.

The participants exchanged views on ways and means to bring peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan, and recognized the need to develop confidence building measures to strengthen trust among all stakeholders. The next meeting would be held at a mutually convenient date after Ramadan ends later this month, it added.

Officials from the United States and China were observers at the talks held on Tuesday in Murree, a hill resort near Islamabad, a statement from Pakistan’s foreign ministry said.

There are also doubts about whether the Taliban negotiators speak for the fighters on the ground.

Security has deteriorated across the country as Taliban insurgents have stepped up their attacks after most foreign combat troops left Afghanistan at the end of 2014.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said China backed the process and was in touch with all sides.

Noting the importance of acknowledging the talks as the beginning of what could be a long and challenging process, Haysom expressed his appreciation to the parties for taking this significant first step and to the Government of Pakistan for hosting the meeting.

Afghan government and Taliban representatives had held informal meetings several times in the past but it was the first time that Kabul had sent an official team to Pakistan for talks with Taliban. “I hope there will be a positive outcome which will certainly be very helpful for peace and stability in Afghanistan”, he said. “There’re some Taliban who still don’t want peace”.

The official said the Afghan delegation told the Taliban emissaries that the negotiations and attacks could move together. “We believe that if there is a good and strong intention in the peace process, there will be good results”, Kabul said.

Sir: Talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban have started, indicating a fresh start to the reconciliation process of the war-torn country.