Afghan conflict – A decisive moment

I.M. Kiyani

Since last four decades Afghanistan is going through and has witnessed deadliest aerial and ground attacks, blood bathing, dead bodies, unmatchable devastation, miseries and denial of very basic civic facilities to its masses such as health care, education and employment. Two world super powers have mercilessly used their military might for attainment of their own objectives but have badly failed.

Afghans stood to the challenge and defended their identity. We can easily say that “freedom has no price” but four decades of devastation has severely affected the four Afghan generations and pushed Afghanistan back to almost Stone Age with no revival plans in near future.

The unbearable cost of the conflict and hard ground realities have offered an opportunity to primary stakeholders of the conflict to reconcile and put an end to the miseries of hapless masses of Afghanistan. It seems that US has realized the grave mistake committed in haste. 

Now they want to wind up. The Taliban have fought well and brought the superpower into a stalemate. The US invaded Afghanistan but now seems desperate to go back home.

The Taliban must oblige because it is good for Afghanistan, Taliban, the region and international community.

The Taliban may reconcile and be little flexible to seize the moment of peace since:-

They would not be able to takeover entire Afghanistan due to very obvious reasons.

They would not be able to make govt and govern the entire country.

Other groups in Afghanistan may not accept them.

International community is not likely to accept them.

They will never have resources to re-build and revive Afghanistan.

They would not be able to even extend basic civic facilities to Afghan masses, the most deserving and needed demand.

Chaos and bloodshed will continue.

The peace lovers around the globe, the world community, the regional countries, neighbours and the Afghan masses are desperate to see a peaceful, stable and promising Afghanistan.

This dream can turn into reality if Taliban and political forces in Afghanistan are able to realize the ground realities and opt for the decisive moment of peace.

It is global consensus which has emerged in last few months that the Taliban and political forces of Afghanistan may consider and accept a well planned, timed and gradual pullout of foreign troops from Afghanistan.

Abrupt pullout is likely to cause further chaos, rift, bloodshed and destruction, resulting into total instability in Afghanistan and its fallout would definitely effect the entire region.

5th round of peace talks at Doha recently concluded after 16 days, has been very encouraging for the Afghans and peace lovers around the world.

Next session between Taliban and political forces is expected soon with strong hopes of positive outcome.

If Taliban and political forces of Afghanistan manage to seize the rare and decisive moment for peace, they can be sure of having added advantages such as:-

The peace deal is likely to be owned by Afghans.

The Taliban would enjoy the legitimacy rendered by the world community.

All the stakeholders would own it, being on board in the peace process.

The world community would extend the necessary financial assistance direly needed to rebuild and revive Afghanistan.

There would not be any vacuum, thus less chances of further instability and bloodshed.

Taliban and political forces will have time and resources to gradually and steadily work for the stability/ prosperity of Afghanistan.

Taliban are likely to enjoy the confidence and support of the Afghans and world community. The Afghan masses deserve to live with peace, dignity and prosperity. No doubt that a bold, sincere and firm commitment by the US, is a key to success of peace process.

However, all stakeholders are also expected to strive for genuine peace by extending a sincere hand with whole hearted support to achieve comprehensive and lasting peace for Afghanistan and the region – a long awaited dream.