Context
Speaking a day after talks with Hamid Karzai, Hina Rabbani Khar said that Pakistan is ready to do whatever the Afghans want to end the decade long war with Taliban. When asked whether Pakistan will push Haqqani network into negotiations, she stopped short of mentioning the group and commenting further.
During her visit, Pakistan Foreign Minister reiterated that any threat to Afghanistan’s sovereignty and independence was a threat to Pakistan’s existence. Khar stated that an effective peace process is still far-fetched; however it should be “Afghan-led, Afghan-owned, Afghan-driven”. Once the way forward is decided, Pakistan will assist in all possible ways. Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmai Rasoul also emphasized the key role of Pakistan in the peace process and hoped for the strengthening of relationship between the two countries
Pakistan also signaled that it will soon end the two month blockade on NATO supplies. However, a tariff will be imposed on NATO convoys carrying supplies. Khar said that the parliament tasked with adopting the review will meet next week and would hopefully pass it within the first half of February.
Yesterday, Pakistan denied the charges in the leaked NATO report that it is secretly supporting insurgency in Afghanistan. The report said that ISI was secretly backing Taliban militias, who consider victory inevitable as western troops withdraw in 2014. The leaked report, compiled from information given by insurgent detainees, came out when Hina Rabbani Khar was visiting Kabul. She asserted that Pakistan has no hidden agenda in Afghanistan and it stands behind any initiative taken by the Afghan government for peace in the country.
On the other hand, Taliban denied plans for peace talks with the Afghan government in Saudi Arabia. Taliban have started peace negotiations with the US in Qatar, however, Taliban have stated the trust-building process should lead to negotiations, which has not begun yet.
