US-Taliban talks: Islamabad 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 the facilitation of travel for negotiations, US officials and Taliban sources told 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 throughout its more than 17-year-old war.

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 EXERCISE BEGINS

KARACHI: The five-day multinational maritime exercise 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 are all taking part in the ongoing maritime exercise, along with the Pakistan Air Force, Pakistan Army and Pakistan Rangers.