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TTP chief Mullah Fazlullah hiding where Afghan govt has no control: envoy
PESHAWAR:
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan chief Mullah Fazlullah is hiding in a region where the government in Kabul has no control, top Afghan diplomat in Pakistan said on Thursday.
“Such elements are hiding in areas which are out of government’s control.”
Dr Mohammad Umar Zakhelwal, Afghanistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, said in response to a question regarding the presence of banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Mullah Fazullah and his accomplices in Afghanistan.
Addressing a small function at the Afghan consulate in Peshawar, Dr Zakhelwal claimed there was no dispute between Kabul and Islamabad but the relations between the two neighbouring countries were affected due to lack of trust and misunderstandings.
Pak-Afghan relations — a steady decay
“If there is no peace and certainty in Afghanistan, thinking of peace in Pakistan is also meaningless as both the countries are not only neighbours but they share common history, culture, languages as well as geo-economic and religious norms,” he said.
The return of peace in Afghanistan is essential for both the neighbouring countries and it is only possible through joint efforts as well as entering into an era of trust and confidence, the senior Afghan diplomat claimed.
Further, Dr Zakhelwal, who is also a special representative of President Ashraf Ghani for Pakistan, said: “return of peace and strengthening of cordial relations is a top priority of the Afghan government and Kabul is expecting a lot from Islamabad.”
“In return of Pakistan’s one step, Afghanistan is determined to go 10 steps ahead,” he added.
Mullah Fazlullah will not evade us forever, says Abdullah
The Afghan ambassador went on to claim that his country suffered a lot as a result of imposed wars and hostilities and added that Pakistan might also become the victim if the existing violence and crises continue on Afghan soil.
“There may be complaints and reservations against each other but all these matters could easily be sorted out through mutual understanding and consultations,” he said, suggesting it was high time for both the countries to act jointly.
He, however, said efforts are underway for arresting or eliminating of all these terrorists, whether they are from Pakistan, Afghanistan or from any other country. “Afghanistan and its people will never allow anyone to work against Pakistan or harm its people.”
Pakistan not to blame for Afghan troubles, Aziz says on US visit
In response to a question, the Afghan diplomat claimed there were some elements on both sides of the border who were involved in sabotaging the peace process in Afghanistan. “Certain elements from both sides of Pak-Afghan border are reluctant to let return of peace and cementing of cordial relations between the two countries. Whenever peace talks commence such elements sabotage the process with intensifying violent acts in both the countries,” he said.
Mullah Fazlullah will not evade us forever, says Abdullah
KABUL:
“[Outlawed] Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan’s chief Mullah Fazullah has survived several operations by Afghan security forces in recent months – but I’m sure he will not evade us forever,” Dr Abdullah Abdullah, the chief executive of Afghanistan, said on Wednesday.
Mullah Fazlullah, also known as Mullah Radio, had found a safe haven in eastern Afghanistan after he and his loyalists were routed in a military operation in Swat in 2009. Since then, he has been using the Afghan soil as a launching pad for mounting attacks on Pakistan. Pakistani officials have repeatedly asked Kabul to take action against Mullah Fazlullah.
Pakistan does not ‘cooperate in anti-terrorism activities’, claims Abdullah Abdullah
“It is not our policy to harbour any terrorist against any country,” Dr Abdullah told The Express Tribune in an exclusive chat in Kabul where he received a Pakistani delegation for an unofficial security dialogue.
“We’re ready to take risks but then we also expect Pakistan to stand by us for the sake of the greater good,” he added. “The gravity of the situation is such that we should think and act differently.” Kabul also accuses Pakistan of harbouring Afghan Taliban, but Islamabad denies the accusation.
He did not agree with the perception that Afghanistan’s territory was being used against Pakistan and dispelled the impression that certain ethnic groups in the country were ‘anti-Pakistan’.
Mullah Omar’s death and peace process
Pakistan brokered the first face-to-face talks between Afghan officials and Taliban representatives in July. The nascent initiative, officially named Murree Peace Process, was called off after the news of death of Taliban’s long-time leader Mullah Omar was leaked to the media. Pakistani officials believe some Afghan officials leaked the news in an attempt to sabotage the Murree Peace Process.
Organisers of terrorist attacks still exist in Pakistan’
But Dr Abdullah said Kabul did not know Mullah Omar had died two years ago. “We were told that the [peace] talks were taking place with his [Omar’s] blessing… who leaked the news [of Omar’s death] … why and how this happened… this is not important anymore,” he said. “What is important is why this was kept from us. It was clear breach of trust.”
Dr Abdullah added that US officials also confirmed Mullah Omar’s death and informed the Afghan government about the development.
Akhtar Mansoor’s condition
The Afghan chief executive confirmed the new Taliban supremo, Mullah Akhtar Mansoor, was alive but added that he was injured. Some western news agencies have claimed that Mullah Mansoor was fatally injured in a gunfight during a Taliban meeting in the Kuchlak area of Balochistan early this month.
Dr Abdullah claimed that the Taliban have been weakened by divisions and that Kabul was ready to start talks with ‘reconcilable’ leaders of the movement.
Pak-Afghan ties
The Afghan chief executive seemed satisfied with the recent assurances from Pakistani leaders on working for peace and stability in Afghanistan. “There is recognition of change in [the policies of] Pakistan at the highest level in Afghanistan,” he said.
Dr Abdullah says he doubts Pakistan’s peace role
However, Dr Abdullah added that the perception of Pakistan at the public level has not yet changed. “It will take time for common Afghans to be on-board. They have doubts which need to be removed through actions.”
At the same time the Afghan leader recognised the concerns of Pakistani leaders about Afghanistan. “We understand that Pakistan has legitimate concerns but we too have legitimate concerns. No doubt, there is urgency of dealing with the situation and we are clear it will take time,” he added.
Talking to the members of the Pak-Afghan unofficial dialogue, he supported the track-II process and said such contacts could help in finding solution to problems. “Afghanistan does not interfere in the internal affairs of neighbouring countries and hopes its neighbours will not interfere in Afghanistan’s affairs.”
A similar sentiment also reverberated during a meeting of the delegates of Pak-Afghan unofficial dialogue with Afghanistan’s National Security Adviser Hanif Atmar.
Experts call for strict Pak-Afghan border management
Atmar, while welcoming Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s support for Afghanistan’s National Unity Government in the recent Heart of Asia conference, said such statements ‘which reaffirm Afghanistan’s sovereignty’ would be regarded as a confidence-building step within Afghan political circles.
He added that the Afghan government’s commitment to the reconciliation process should also be recognised to neutralise those opposed to talks.