Much awaited peace deal

Media reports indicate that much awaited peace deal between the United States and the Taliban will be signed soon. Signing of peace agreement will pave the way for ending 18 years long war in Afghanistan and bring stability to the war ravaged country, if intra-Afghan dialogue process starts and culminate in broad-based political settlement acceptable to all Afghan groups. It is an encouraging sign that US officials and the Taliban have confirmed that peace deal is likely to be signed on February 29 and intra-Afghan dialogue may be held, either in Norway or in Germany.

Before formally signing of peace agreement, the Taliban will announce seven days ceasefire to bring down the level of violence in Afghanistan. US Defence Secretary Mark Thomas Esper has confirmed about draft agreement of the likely peace deal. He told peace meeting on Afghanistan in Munich that time has come to give chance to diplomacy for restoring peace in Afghanistan. He told that a proposal for reduction of valiance is on the table for discussion between the US Envoy and the Taliban representatives.

After his meeting with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Munich, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters accompanying him during journey that if Taliban observes ceasefire and dialogue process is initiated among the Afghan groups succeeds for a politicalsettlement, then US will start withdrawal of 8600 troops in phases. At present 12,000 US troops are deployed there.

Pakistan has played a commendable facilitation role for brokering a peace deal between the US and the Taliban. It has always emphasised the necessity of intra-Afghan talks to reach a broad based political settlement involving all Afghan groups. US officials and the Taliban have confirmed that Afghan peace agreement may be signed on February 29 followed by Intra-Afghan dialogue. It was the lack of an inclusive political agreement among sitting government of Dr. Najeebullah in Kabul and Afghan resistance groups early 90s that fratricidal war ensued between the warlords after the withdrawal of Soviet tropes from Afghanistan as result of Geneva Accord. Hopefully, this time the United States, Russia, China and other world powers will make efforts for bringing peace and stability in Afghanistan and past mistake shall not be repeated against which Pakistan has repeatedly cautioned.

Return of peace and stability to the war torn Afghanistan will encourage Afghan Refugees to return to their homeland. However, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees FillipoGrandi said that Afghan Refugee repatriation will depend on stable security situation there. He said that these refugees have stayed out of their country for several decades hence taking decision for the return journey may not be an easy one for them.

Pakistan is hosting over 3 million Afghan refugees for the past four decades. Once, a senior official of Afghan Refugee Commissionerate had talked about the preparation of a plan for the repatriation of Afghan nationals in 2018. In response former Afghan Ambassador in Islamabad, UmerZakhelwal told Afghan Refugee elders to remain prepared for going back  to their motherland to participate in its reconstruction. It is time to work out a comprehensive repatriation plan for both registered and unregistered Afghan nationals who fall within the category of war refugees and they must go back home.