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Taliban: Peace Talks Not Possible Until Foreign ‘Occupation’ of Afghanistan Ends
The Taliban has rejected latest United Nations calls for engaging in peace talks with the Afghan government, and instead demanded the world body pressure U.S.-led foreign troops to end their “occupation” of Afghanistan if the U.N. truly wants an end to the 15-year war. “Our fight is for independence, and as long as foreign occupation forces are present here (in Afghanistan) any talk about peace and reconciliation is meaningless,” Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, told VOA Friday. He was responding to a renewed call for Afghan peace talks earlier this week by Tadamichi Yamamoto, who heads the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, or UNAMA. In his quarterly briefing to the Security Council in New York on Monday, Yamamoto urged the Taliban to enter into direct talks with the Kabul government, without preconditions, to prevent further bloodshed in the country. “We all know that the conflict in Afghanistan has no military solution. The Taliban leadership must reconsider the notion that their objectives can only be achieved on the battlefield,” noted the UNAMA chief. However, the Taliban spokesman insisted that all parties interested in resolving Afghanistan's problems should pressure on foreign forces to leave Afghanistan and let its people decide the kind of governing system they need for their country. "Afghans neither like a foreign-imposed regime nor do they accept presence of foreign forces in their country," he said, citing presence of American and NATO in Afghanistan as the main cause of the conflict. The Taliban maintains President Ashraf Ghani’s national unity government is not a “sovereign administration,” alleging it works under U.S. direction. The Islamist insurgency has recently called for direct talks with the U.S. administration to find a solution to the Afghan war. But Washington rejected the offer and reiterated its support for an Afghan-led reconciliation process. “We believe that’s the right approach. We’ve always believed that that’s the...
Iran, Russia See Opportunity to Encircle The US In Afghanistan
Recent revelations that Iran and Russia have explored further cooperation with the Taliban caught attention in Western capitals. Tehran’s involvement with the insurgent group is old news but Moscow’s carefully orchestrated confession comes at a dangerous juncture for the United States and its war in Afghanistan, Washington’s longest ever. Besides Pakistan, the Taliban’s traditional patron, Washington is in particular concerned about the legitimacy the Taliban are achieving in regional capitals, which will spell disaster for the U.S. presence. Despite the nuclear deal with Tehran, many in Iran believe that Washington cannot be trusted to keep up its part of the deal. This comes on the heels of the election victory by Donald Trump and his hawkish campaign talk vis-à-vis the pact. Trump has frequently said he will scrap the deal on day one. This has raised eyebrows in Tehran and sparked a search for possible contingency plans. With American involvement in Iraq, and now Syria as well, Tehran feels encircled and certainly threatened by the incoming administration. Enjoying this article? Click here to subscribe for full access. Just $5 a month. The unpredictability of a Trump White House is pushing Tehran to adapt a more conciliatory approach toward the Taliban. When then-Taliban chief Mullah Mansour was killed in a U.S. drone strike, he was travelling from the southern town of Mashad, Iran to Quetta, Pakistan. The relationship has earned the Taliban’s office in Iran the “Mashad Shura” moniker. However, such ties have largely been ignored due to Tehran’s focus on monetary funding to the group and not so much hosting a physical leadership presence within its boundaries. Iran has now upped the stakes in its relationship with the Taliban. Tehran used to hide visits by the insurgent group but now Iran has openly invited Taliban leaders to an Islamic conference, describing them as “moderate.” Russia, on the other hand, is back to Cold War shenanigans, only the role has been...
Trump’s Nation-Building Pledges To Be Tested In Afghanistan
President-elect Donald Trump’s pledges to end the nation-building missions of the military will be tested in Afghanistan, where President Obama repeatedly came up against the reality of a country unready for U.S. forces to leave. Trump will inherit a military drawing down in Afghanistan to 8,400 troops, well above the 1,000 Obama originally wanted to leave at just the U.S. embassy in Kabul. Obama formally ended the combat mission in 2014, but U.S. troops remain on a dual mission. One is to conduct counterterrorism strikes against groups such as al Qaeda and the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. The other is to train, advise and assist Afghan forces in their fight against the Taliban, a mission critics have called nation-building. Facing a resilient Taliban and recommendations from his military advisors not to withdraw, Obama was twice forced to increase the number of troops he planned to leave in country after this year, first to 5,500 then to 8,400. Trump could likely face the same issue. “Afghanistan is inherently and profoundly mixed as a mission,” said Michael O’Hanlon, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. “I think in the end, his view, given that it provides a counterterrorism platform, will probably be that it’s worth keeping that level of investment.” In its latest biannual report on the security situation in Afghanistan, the Pentagon said the Taliban is in control of or has influence over 10 percent of the country and is contesting the government for another 20 percent. U.S. officials have said the Taliban holds more ground than at any point since it was ousted from power in 2001. The report, released earlier in December, also said the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) continue to need the help of U.S. and NATO forces. “Although the ANDSF denied the insurgency any strategic successes, the ANDSF have also demonstrated the need for continued U.S. and coalition support to address persistent capability gaps and deficiencies,” the...
CHINA WATCH [DECEMBER 20-26] CALL FOR UNITY
The leading story of this week was the call of the China’s Vice Minister of International Department, Central Committee, Zheng Xiaosong on the Pakistani political parties to come together for the success of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CEPC). Commander, Southern Command, Lt Gen Aamir Riaz has invited India to join CPEC. The central and provincial governments have agreed to jointly attend the upcoming meeting of Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) on CPEC. Acting Chinese ambassador to Pakistan, Muhammad Zhao Lijian, has rejected the anti-CPEC propaganda. Call for Unity: China’s Vice Minister of International Department, Central Committee, Zheng Xiaosong exhorted the Pakistani political parties to come together for the success of CPEC and attainment of the ‘shared goal of development’. He said that “[P]olitical parties in Pakistan have divergent interests. We hope that the political parties can work together to resolve their differences and make CPEC a success.”[1] He added “[W]e are ready to work with Pakistan for consensus and strive jointly for the way forward.” Though all the political groups in Pakistan have supported and welcomed the corridor, there is a palpable lack of consensus over the question of provincial shares in the projects. Even in the past China has made such pleas to Pakistan for a political unity behind CPEC. But the divisions between Pakistan’s political parties with regard to CPEC are going nowhere and that has perturbed the Chinese government. India Invited to Join CPEC: Commander, Southern Command, Lt Gen Aamir Riaz has invited India to shun subversive activities and join CPEC to share the fruits of future development of the project.[2] It is a remarkable development in the sense that the two neighbors have been engaged in historic rivalry. In connection with Islamabad’s invitation to New Delhi, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman, Hua Chunying said that China wonders “whether the Indian side takes this offer made by the Pakistani...
Sabawoon Showcase: The Role of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) Tourism Department in Women’s Empowerment
December 21, 2016, Peshawar: The latest episode of Sabawoon[1], flagship radio program of Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), was about the role of KP’s Tourism department in empowering women. The program overviewed of different activities organized by KP’s Tourism department for women, involvement of women in tourism and sports activities, forums of exposure for women, tours of historical sites for females, and cultural barriers faced by women. The program was aired under the theme of Jwandai Jazbey (living spirits) on Wednesday. Ms. Haseena Shoukat, Marketing Manager Tourism Department Peshawar, and Ms. Zarmina Wahid, In-Charge Creative Wing Tourism Department Peshawar, participated as the studio guests. A radio report highlighted the role of and opportunities for women in tourism and sports industries. It also shed light on the social norms of Pashtun society which have been one of the major hurdles for female participation in these spheres. Ms. Haseena Shoukat said that women should not limit themselves to homes but overcome the challenges and avail themselves of the opportunities waiting for them in every field of life. Sabawoon airs Monday through Thursday on FM-101.5 Peshawar & DI Khan 711 KHZ from 3:20 PM to 4:00 PM. [1] Sabawoon is a flagship radio program by CRSS in the KP/FATA region, designed to highlight local issues, and promote fundamental global values such as women’s rights, rule of law, equal citizenry, democracy, governance and accountability. It airs four times a week, under four themes. On Monday, Jarga Marrakka covers current affairs and issues, coupled with government and other senior officials. On Tuesday, Da Semi Jaaj gives a holistic regional overview of the most important stories across the length and breadth of KP/FATA. On Wednesday, Jwandai Jazbey covers issues most important to youth, students and females. Finally, on Thursday, Ranra covers social issues that have a cultural angle and/or...
After Pakistan General, Chinese Media Suggests India to Join CPEC
China will strongly oppose any attempt to label Pakistan as "supporting terrorism", Chinese official media today said and suggested India to accept the "olive branch" extended by a top Pakistani military General to participate in the USD 46 billion economic corridor. "Surprise aside (over General's call), New Delhi should consider accepting the olive branch Pakistan has extended in a bid to participate in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor," said an article in the state-run Global Times. The comments came after Lt Gen Riaz, Commander of the Pakistan's Southern Command which is based in Quetta, this week reportedly said India should "shun enmity" with Pakistan and "join the USD 46-billion CPECBSE -4.45 % along with Iran, Afghanistan and other Central Asian countries and enjoy its benefits". "Such an opportunity could be transient. There is a possibility that the open attitude toward India joining the CPEC will quickly be overwhelmed by opposition voices from Pakistan if New Delhi does not respond in a timely manner to the General's overture," the article said. Another article in the same daily said "Riaz's invitation, which came as a surprise to New Delhi, is mainly intended as a gesture. While he hinted at India's intervention in the CPEC, he welcomed India's participation in the project, demonstrating Pakistan does not want to exclude India." At the same time, it said, "if any country wants to label Pakistan as 'supporting terrorism' and discredit the country, then China and other countries who uphold justice will oppose such behaviour strongly". The article said that since President Xi Jinping visited Pakistan in April, 2015, the CPEC has advanced considerably. "However, some international forces, and India in particular, are accustomed to look at the CPEC and the One Belt and One Road initiative from a geopolitical perspective. On one side, this is relevant to the geopolitical competition mindset they insist on, on the other, this is because of their...
Caught Up In Regional Tensions? The Mass Return of Afghan Refugees From Pakistan
More than half a million Afghan refugees have returned from Pakistan since July 2016, a huge number, on a scale not seen for a decade. United Nations agencies and human rights organisations have blamed fear of harassment and oppression by the Pakistani authorities, or in the case of undocumented refugees, fear of expulsion for the mass returns. Pakistani hostility towards Afghan refugees had already been growing, but has strengthened markedly as friendship between Afghanistan and Pakistan’s old enemy, India, blossomed this year. The Afghan government, reports AAN’s Jelena Bjelica, has also been encouraging Afghans to come home (with reporting from Jalalabad by AAN’s Fazal Muzhary and input from Thomas Ruttig). The returnee crisis: facts and consequences By mid-December, more than half a million Afghans had crossed from Pakistan into Afghanistan – all officially called ‘returnees’ even if they were born in Pakistan. According to the UN’s humanitarian coordination agency, UNOCHA, 370,102 were ‘registered’ , ie registered as refugees with the Pakistani authorities and UNHCR, and 244,309 were ‘undocumented’. The majority (96 per cent of the undocumented and 75 per cent of the registered) had been living in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province. Most – more than 90 per cent – of those 614,411 people moved to Afghanistan after July 2016. Between July and early November 2016, UNOCHA reported, it was not uncommon to see as many as 4,000 people – sometimes more – pass through the border crossings at Torkham and Spin Boldak in a single day. Many returned at short notice, after receiving 48-hour and/or a week’s notice to leave the country. Many had been living in Pakistan since the Soviet invasion when millions of Afghan refugees fled the country. The younger ‘returnees’ include those who have never lived in Afghanistan. Some are even the children of those who have never lived in Afghanistan. Many of the returning Afghans now find themselves in a desperate situation in their...
Afghan Weekly (Dec 17 – Dec 23, 2016)
Pakistan's acting permanent representative to the UN, Nabeel Munir, while speaking in a debate about the situation in Afghanistan in the UN Security Council this week, stated that sanctuaries of terrorists have shifted to Afghanistan due to the successful operation of Zarbe-Azb, the results of which are widely acknowledged by the international community.[1] Kandahar's police Chief General Abdul Raziq, too, confirmed that at least six Taliban leaders left the Quetta city of Pakistan along with their family members this week and have shifted to the Helmand province of Afghanistan. Some of the Taliban leaders who were attempting to leave Quetta were arrested and jailed by the Pakistani military.[2] Below follow other key updates on the security, politics, international engagements and socio-economic developments occurring in Afghanistan in the past week. Security Overview 16 loyalists of the ISIS killed in a US airstrike in Achin district of eastern Nangarhar province late night on December 16.[3] 5 female workers of the Kandahar airport killed by unknown gunmen in Kandahar city earlier on December 17.[4] 3 people killed and 3 others sustained injuries in an attack by gunmen in Kabul late on December 17.[5] Nearly 100 people killed or wounded in two separate traffic incidents in western Farah and Nimroz provinces of Afghanistan after a bus collided with a truck on December 18.[6] 5 militants were killed and 6 others were wounded after the Afghan forces repulsed a coordinated attack on security check posts in eastern Nangarhar province on December 18.[7] Pentagon confirmed the death of two Al Qaeda leaders, named Bilal al-Utabi and Abd al-Wahid al-Junabi, in a US strike in Afghanistan in a statement on December 19.[8] 5 members of Lashkar-e-Taiba terror group killed in the premature explosion of improvised explosives devices (IEDs) in the Asmar district of Kunar province in Afghanistan on December 19.[9] Zardad Faryadi, a former Hizb-e-Islami commander, was...
Russia Publicly Favors Pakistan Over India
India is worried that its nearly 70-year friendship with Russia is about to end. Russia is warming up to India’s biggest historical enemy, Pakistan, which inevitably has led to tensions between New Delhi and Moscow. So even though India and Russia were very close for nearly seven decades, Russia-Indian relations have come crashing down over the last two years. Geopolitics is the reason the relationship between the two countries is deteriorating. Moscow and New Delhi have backed one another on the international diplomatic sphere for decades. But when Russia refused to support India’s bid to turn Pakistan into a pariah state this year, Moscow took a major step away from its friendship with New Delhi. Russia and India may have signed large-scale military deals over the past seven decades, but when Moscow held its first-ever joint military drills this year with Pakistan – India’s biggest adversary – it was a sign that Russia is trying to send a message. India remains mute about Russia-Pakistan friendship Last week, Moscow and Islamabad held their first-ever foreign office consultations, leaving India understandably worried that Russia is further deepening its ties to Pakistan. During those consultations in Islamabad, Russian and Pakistani officials discussed a wide variety of regional issues and pointed out some areas of mutual interest, including economic cooperation. According to the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistani and Russian officials “exchanged views on important global and regional developments.” The ministry added in the statement that “it was also decided that the next round of consultations will be convened in Moscow in 2017.” Just last year, nobody in their right mind would believe that Russia could make friends with its Cold War rival Pakistan. But by selling four Mi-35M helicopters to Pakistan in 2015, Russia mutely announced huge changes in its geopolitical strategies. Then in October 2015, Russia and Pakistan held their first-ever joint...
Behaving Respectfully with Public is Legal Binding on Police, District Nazim, Mardan
The common objective of all the initiatives as part of KP police reforms is “improved public service delivery of police”. Respectful engagement with public is crucial to ensure a crime-free society, minimize public-police gaps and tackle the trust deficit between them. The police today in KP is ever more accountable where postings, transfers and promotions have been linked with performance. Hundreds of police officials punished on corruption charges exemplify the accountability mechanisms in-place within the KP police. A good police officer is the one who has good relations with public. The police officials should critically evaluate their performance against the tax payers money spent on their emoluments. Change; reformation and institutionalization is a long term process and takes time. These were the remarks made by Dr. Mian Saeed, newly appointed DPO Mardan during a public forum on police reforms at press club, Mardan. Mr. Himayat Ullah Mayar, District Nazim, Mardan and Prof. Saeed Ahmed, Degree College Mardan also spoke on the occasion. The event was participated well by the members of community with diverse backgrounds including lawyers, local government representatives, media, academia and youth representatives. The forum was part of the project “Ulasi Police” an awareness and advocacy campaign undertaken by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) – as part of USAID Small Grants and Ambassadors’ Fund Program – to strengthen the rule of law in KP province by promoting and disseminating the significant police reforms aimed at incorporating local communities’ policing needs and international human rights standards. The endeavor aims to tackle the trust deficit between the public and police, help KP police become an accountable and community-focused police force. The DPO Mardan also said that decreasing the gaps between the public and police - at the hands of militancy post 2006 – was one of the primary considerations of police reforms....
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I am also a member of National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting. Recently, we held a meeting with the Director General of Radio Pakistan and we told them to initiate such local programs (like Constituency Hour) in regional languages to educate and inform people. Even Indian Radio can be heard in FATA which is being used for propaganda purposes and must be closed. Therefore, we should launch some standard and quality programs like CRSS that will change the taste of the listeners.