Us-taliban talks: Pakistan quietly playing crucial role
WASHINGTON/PESHAWAR: Pakistan, long at odds with the US over the war in Afghanistan, has begun to play a behind-the-scenes but central role in supporting US peace talks with the Afghan Taliban, including by facilitating travel to negotiations, US officials and Taliban sources tell Reuters.
The Pakistani assistance, which has not been reported in such detail before, also includes exerting pressure on Taliban leaders who fail to cooperate, including by detaining members of the militants’ families, the insurgents say.
The Pakistani role in the peace negotiations is a delicate one, with Islamabad seeking to avoid demonstrating the kind of broad influence over the Taliban that Washington has long accused it of having. Sources caution its help could be temporary.
The Taliban also do not want to appear beholden to Islamabad, which has long denied US accusations that it provides safe haven and assistance to insurgents as a way to preserve influence in neighbouring Afghanistan t hroughout i t s more t han 17-year-old war.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly signalled his intention to wind down America’s longest conflict.
One senior US official, who declined to be identified, said of Pakistan’s role in the talks, “We know it just wouldn’t be possible without their support.”
NO REDUCTION IN DEFENCE BUDGET
ISLAMABAD: Underlining that the Pakistan government and the army are enjoying a period of “unprecedented coordination”, a senior minister has ruled out any cut in the country’s defence budget and said it could instead increase for the national security.
Information minister Fawad Chaudhry said the country’s defence budget is “already low” as compared to other countries in the region, and therefore it should be increased.
FIVE-DAY MARITIME EXERCISES BEGIN
KARACHI: The five-day multinat i onal maritime e xercise AMAN-19, in which 46 nations are taking part, commenced on Friday near Karachi.
The Pakistan navy’s ships, submarines, boats, marines and special forces will all take part in the exercise, along with the Pakistan Air Force, Pakistan Army and Pakistan Rangers.