The eleven years long US combat mission, along with certain successes, yielded to some hopelessness, devastation, poverty, insecurity and uncertainty. War rarely begets peace, is an agreeable stance, nevertheless, the design for peace should not cost Afghanis the price they are already paying; the grave concern most of people worry about. The people of Afghanistan are sandwiched between escalating inflation coupled with joblessness and increasing fear of insecurity now and then; post US pull out, 2014. The people are hardly inclined to unlearn the relentless atrocities Taliban committed against innocent civilians.
It is amidst peace talks with Taliban, the number of suicide attacks on important governmental installations have drastically multiplied, with civilians worst affected. Isn’t it right to say the people are paying the price of reconciliation? Can peace talks alter the status-quo?
The Afghan led peace talks backed by international community and Pakistan are commendable. The US Defense Secretary nominee, Chuck Hagel, on Wednesday said he agreed with President Barack Obama that an Afghan-led reconciliation process was the surest way to end violence in Afghanistan. It is the very time the international community and afghan government seek, finding out a unanimous political solution for an enduring peace in war wrecked Afghanistan, keeping the combat option reserved.
The Taliban should obey Afghanistan’s constitution, give up armed resistance, end ties with Al-Qaida and should speak democratic tune then violence, all must stand as unbeatable preliminary conditions for peace talks. The Taliban who respond with affirmation should be pardoned by adopting due course of law and those who resort to violence should be crushed with heavy might.
Pakistan’s release of Taliban detainees up on the recommendations of Afghan officials is encouraging to carry forth the peace drive but it is devoid of proper mechanism. Since the last few months, most if not all, Afghan Taliban detainees have been released out of Pakistani custodies, but unfortunately no one knows whether they will take Afghan government’s side or will rejoin Taliban on battleground. The Taliban released by both governments are not subjected to genuine surveillances. Afghan authorities are beating the trumpet of their success in releasing Taliban, anticipating they would persuade the fanatic ideologues giving up violence and resorting peace. However the situation at the ground seems otherwise.
Taliban are still subjective to the use of force pressurizing government to further their will and demand. Currently Taliban are ruling over 30 percent of country according to credible sources. It takes them no longer to increase this percentage if US forces are made to quit, leaving the mission unaccomplished. The demand of immediate and complete draw down of US forces might not improve. Taliban are betraying the government with reconciliation by saying peace but committing violence.