ISLAMABAD - The Afghan Taliban refused to take part in the peace talks driven by Kabul, despite pressure from the Pakistani government, which threatens to expel them from the country with their families, today revealed The Express Tribune.
The refusal of the rebel group casts doubt on how much influence Islamabad retains over militants, said Pakistani sources to the newspaper.
We have said that they will have to leave if they do not participate in the talks. "We have done what we can, but influence does not mean control. Those days are long gone," said a security official.
After secret meetings with Pakistani officials about two weeks ago, the Talibans Supreme Council met at an undisclosed location and voted to reject the talks, noted the publication.
Instead, the insurgents are now preparing for "what they say will be a fierce spring offensive to be launched soon", it highlights.
A Pakistani official said the Taliban’s recent success on the battlefield had changed the equation, while another denied that the talks are dead, but acknowledged that they face serious difficulties.
In addition, they no longer have their Pakistan bases as a few years ago, so the threat to expel them does not have the same effect, said the source, a retired military officer.
The Taliban have little incentive to leave the battlefield given their recent gains and those likely to come in the next few months, he added.
However, Afghan cabinet members expressed to The Tribune Express their doubts about Islamabads sincerity.
The newspaper recalled that Pakistan's military has long been accused of fostering the Taliban.
"I personally feel that Mullah Sartaj Mansoor (head of the movement) and some other leaders are in favor of peace talks and they donâÖt want to annoy Pakistan (...) but they can’t make decisions without approval of other shura members," said a Taliban council member.
In July last year, representatives from Kabul and Taliban met in Murree resort, about 60 kilometers from Islamabad, in what was considered the first direct contact between the two sides
However, the dialogue was suspended after the announcement of the death, in 2013, of the Taliban's spiritual leader, Mullah Omar, and the election of his successor, Mullah Mansoor. (Prensa Latina)