ISLAMABAD: A senior Afghan Taliban leader has called for negotiations to find out solution to find out a political solution to the Afghan problem.
Mullah Agha Jan Mutasim, who once headed the Taliban political committee, also threw weight behind the diplomatic efforts by Russia and China and said the Taliban and the Afghan government should not miss chance for the negotiated settlement.
A former close confidant of Mullah Omar and finance minister during the Taliban rule told Daily Times that the senseless war has now ‘Afghanised’, which takes the lives of nearly 100 Afghans daily.
“Afghans are now killing own Afghans. We lose around 3000 people every month. Casualties of the foreigners are now almost nil, so I want the Taliban and the govt to stop fighting and adopt the path of dialogue,” Mutasim said.
He criticised President Ghani’s recent warning that Taliban will miss a last chance of peace if they did not accept his dialogue offer.
“Ghani should avoid threatening posture. This is not only a chance for the Taliban but for also for the Afghan president. Both should avail this opportunity as the reported deployment of more US and NATO troops could worsen the already fragile situation,” said the Taliban leader, who was shot and seriously injured in Karachi in 2010. He later moved to Turkey for treatment.
The US and its NATO allies are mulling over deployment of additional military personnel for what they insist to train the Afghan security forces. However, Taliban say deployment of additional troops mean more war.
On Sunday, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the insurgents launched an attack on the center of the strategic northern Kunduz province and captured some areas. Mujahid claimed in a statement that the Taliban fighters blocked road between Kunduz city and Imam Sahib and Dasht-e-Archi district.
Reports suggest the US is most likely to deploy 4,000 additional troops that will increase the number of American troops to 12,400.
As the NATO usually follows the US, its Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced on June 30 to send several thousand more troops to Afghanistan. A final announcement is likely after the US formally unveil its decision on additional deployment. The Afghan government has welcomed the US and NATO announcement; however, some Afghan lawmakers have reportedly showed serious concerns as they believe it will prolong war.
Afghan Taliban Chief Maulvi Haibatullah Akhundzada in his Eid message urged the Trump administration to adopt a diplomatic approach to resolve the issues in Afghanistan as surge in troops would not solve the Afghan problem.
A Taliban leader reminded the US and Afghan leaders that the Taliban political office in Qatar is a solid proof of the movement has kept the political option open.
He told Daily Times that the Taliban are ready to hold talks with the US to discuss a time-frame for the withdrawal of the foreign troops.
“War has never been an option for us but it has been imposed and we were forced to take guns against the invaders. If the US and its NATO allies want to end invasion today the issue will be resolved tomorrow,” he said, adding that deployment of more troops will diminish chances for political process.
Mutasim supported the peace efforts by Russia and China and said Afghans should back move by major powers as they are also concerned at the continuation of war in Afghanistan.
When asked about the impression that Taliban do not come to the negotiation table despite appeals by the Afghan government and the world community, he disagreed and said that the government has “not approached” the Taliban political office.
“I think Taliban want political solution as they also suffer more in fighting. They have lost key leaders like Maulvi Abdul Salam, the Kunduz shadow governor and Maulvi Muhammad Lal, the Baghlan governor. Afghan analysts also believe the Taliban and the government have not chalked out any clear strategy for the peace process.
Nazar Mutmaeen, a Kabul-based political watcher, argues the government no doubt faces a lot of political problems but the Taliban have also not adopted any policy to seek a political solution.
“This is a big mistake if the Taliban insist on fighting like the Afghan government and the US do. The Taliban must shift focus to a political solution that could pave the way for the withdrawal of foreign forces and an end to war,” Mutmaeen talked to Daily Times from Kabul.s
Separately, President Ashraf Ghani said on Sunday he does not seek Pakistan’s help in peace with his armed opponents but wants peace with Pakistan. He was speaking at a function in presidential palace to introduce the new head of the High Peace Council, Muhammad Karim Khalili.
“I have repeatedly said and will say it again that we do not want Pakistan help us in peace but we want peace with Pakistan,” the president said, according to the Afghan media. He referred to the last years’ peace agreement with Hizb-e-Islami, led by Hekmatyar, and said it was a good example for others to pursue. He underscored the need for a national consensus and a strong government for the peace process.
The HPC new chief urged the Taliban to stop fighting. He also called up the regional countries and the world community to help the Afghan nation achieve the goal of peace.
Published in Daily Times, July 3rd, 2017.
