Afghanistan, Pakistan and UK trilateral summit is due to be held this month. The summit will bring together President Hamid Karzai, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and British Premier David Cameron at London where issues pertaining to Afghanistan’s peace process will be focused once again. This is the fourth trilateral summit between the three countries and it will be the first time for Nawaz Sharif to take part in it.

In the same-format trilateral summit hosted by British PM, David Cameron in February, presidents of Afghanistan and Pakistan had pledged to work for regional stability by accelerating efforts to strike a peace deal with Afghan Taliban. The significant but more surprising point that had come out of the summit was that President Hamid Karzai and ex-Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari had said they would work together to reach a peace deal for Afghanistan in six months. More than seven months from their pledge have passed. Nonetheless, no significant development is observable in the peace process.

Recently, the Pakistani government released Mullah Abdul Ghani Bradar, the former Taliban second in command after time and again requests from Afghan authorities. Although the Afghan government expressed optimism about Bradar’s release, it does not know his whereabouts. Ironically, no breakthrough in peace deal with Taliban occurred with the release of Bradar. The Afghan government also does not know where the dozens of Taliban who have been released by Pakistani government reside. At least until now their release and imprisonment have had the same impact on the peace process.

While the upcoming trilateral summit in London holds significant importance for Afghanistan, there is no need to be overly optimistic. Since the initiation of peace and reconciliation process in 2010, talks with Taliban have been immensely discussed at various levels and among different countries. Even an office was established for Taliban in Qatar. But not only the office was closed shortly after it was opened but also the peace talks with Taliban seem to face a deadlock. The Taliban have continued to practice violence across Afghanistan which clearly depicts their intention.

It is recommended that the leaders meeting in London summit should avoid making commitments that are far from reality. In other words, there is need for taking more practical and sincere measures to move Afghanistan towards peace and stability as the statements alone hold no cure for any conflict facing this country.