The rumors that Taliban join peace efforts and mainstream politics might owe a certain degree of underlined facts, seeing the indescribable ground realities the dream might not come true. Afghanistan has been striving hard to bring the Taliban back on the table of negotiation. Till date, no tangible development is achieved devoid of hopelessness and desperation. These are some old heard clichés taking place here in Kabul. Nevertheless, elsewhere in Qatar, perpetual backdoor efforts are underway, if not to restore US-Taliban congenial relation, at least to revive bilateral confidence on some fronts, mediated by the Qatari government. Desperately there is no evident sign of any sort of breakthrough between Taliban and Afghan government.
The fruit of backdoor secret talks materialized to a certain degree, observed on several occasions. As witnessed previously, the secret talks between Taliban and US led to re-installation of peace talks between Afghan government and the Taliban in Qatari capital, Dhoha, scaled back before meeting its ultimate fate. Nevertheless the former talks between US and Taliban led to the release of five influential Taliban leaders from the Cuban detention center, Guantanamo jail in swap for US soldier, Sgt Bowe Bergdahl who was held captive by Taliban for five years. The key Taliban released include Mullah Norullah Noori, the then Taliban’s governor of northern Balkh province, Mullah Fazl Akhund, the Taliban’s deputy defence minister, Mullah Khairullah Khairkhwa, the governor of western Herat province, former Taliban’s deputy intelligence chief Mullah Abdul Haq Wasiq and military commander Mullah Mohammad Nabi. Undoubted to speculate the released Taliban leaders impart their physical strength to other Taliban on the battle ground, then playing an influential role in dragging forth the peace efforts.
Despite the aforementioned facts the symbolic institution, Afghan High Peace Council (HPC), tasked to carry forth peace talks, welcomed the release of five senior Taliban leaders expecting the released Taliban prisoners will help the Afghan peace process further with the Taliban militant group. Some political experts believe that the release of Taliban prisoners from Guantanamo prison will have a positive impact on the Afghan peace process.
The US and Qatari government made a deal that reads, Taliban will remain under surveillance of the Qatari government for a period of a year, that includes traveling restriction. Following their non-suspicious activities they might be completely released. On the other hand the Afghan government wants exclusive freedom for the release Taliban leaders so that Afghan lead talks are staged without anyone’s intervention.
Undoubtedly, it is a great step ahead, well received by Taliban leaders and proponents of peace talks, might play a decisive role in encouragement of Taliban militants to restart peace talks. The veteran Taliban leader Mullah Mutasim Agha Jan too well received the release of five Taliban inmates terming it a bold step forth in continuation of of intra-Afghan peace process.
Appreciably, the development is praiseworthy, yet there are serious reservation on whether the released Taliban leaders turn blessing or curse for Afghanistan. It is feared, the Taliban as earlier, should not further the vested interest of their paid masters. Because, tracing the historic records, it can hardly be imagined, they should peacefully join the peace process nullifying their old practiced illicit activities.
Afghanistan being backed by US forces has been fighting an insurgency and Talibanization and the remnants of Al-Qaida for over the past decade with a noticeable breakthrough. The billion dollar influx in the aid to curb insurgency wasn’t properly handled even then the insurgents are given a tough blow. Admittedly the war against terrorism earned enormous human and infrastructural loses and couldn’t dismantle their physical and ideological strength to a great extent, lacking a tangible framework, yet some improvements are worth noting.
It is also an undeniable fact that the Taliban still enjoy stronghold in eastern and southern part of Afghanistan, mostly bordered by Pakistani tribal areas as mentioned in some reports. It is said that the Taliban might topple Kabul’s elected government and may install their own setup; reversing progresses made by democratic government once zero option is exercised. However, it is expected the new government might resolve this very issue soon after resumption of office.
All such prophecy comes forth in the light of frequent statements issued by Taliban subsequent to a triumphant attack on significant sites. It conforms with the former statement issued by Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid whilst talking to a leading international media, claimed they would return to power following the withdrawal of the NATO-led coalition security forces from the country. In addition, the complete draw down was equated with defeat of US and victory of Taliban affirming their eternal victory over occupants looking back into the history of Afghanistan.
The Taliban is well cognizant with the underlying worth of propaganda; they use to demoralize their opponents. Otherwise, they are breathing their last breaths provided the new government sticks to a resolve not bowing before extremist elements and their impracticable forged agendas. The government of Afghanistan at present is striving hard to persuade Taliban for negotiation to end bloodshed. It should be learnt that eternal peace can’t be begged, but implemented with might by rational laws. The government must further peace talks only with those elements who happen to submit to the constitution and upholding human rights and turn into law abiding citizens.
Taliban suffers superiority complex. They believe they turned victorious by defeating Russia in 1989 the superpower of its time, unlearning the continues military, technical and monetary assistance of US and Pakistan. Taliban are dreaming to attain their lost regime. Factually stating, Taliban even if handed over the governance of Afghanistan might not govern it. The governance observed during their term was solitarily based on human right violations and gender based discrimination and suppression, might not help them out in meeting the innovative challenges of time. Though, their justice system was pivoted on rapid response nevertheless in majority cases irrational and unjustified charges were inflicted against innocents. There was no proper economic system put into practice that could earn handsome revenue for the government. Consequently, the security condition gets worse seems more probable than leading to normalization.