Karzi, Taliban holding secret talks: NYT

AfghanistanKarzi, Taliban holding secret talks: NYT

Karzi, Taliban holding secret talks: NYT

KABUL: In a bid to persude the Taliban to make peace with his government, Afghan President Hamid Karzai has been holding secret talks with Taliban officials, the New York Times citing unnamed Afghan and Western officials reported on Tuesday.

The US-based daily newspaper reported that the Afghan president’s spokesman also confirmed that contact was made and described the past two months as positive.

However, the officials told the newspaper that the Taliban-initiated talks have been fruitless so far, although they may help explain Karzai’s mounting public hostility to Washington.

It is pertinent to mention that a two-month election campaign for Afghanistan presidential scheduled for April 5 has begun amid Taliban militants threats of targeting ti.

Karzai, who has ruled the country since the Taliban’s overthrow in 2001, is barred from seeking a third term but his elder brother Qayum Karzai is among other heavyweight candidates contesting the election.

Meanwhile, the relations between the US and the Afghan government have grown particularly strained over Karzai’s refusal to sign the bilateral security agreement that would keep around 8,000 US troops in the war-torn country after 2014, when most foreign forces are due to leave.

The US President Barack Obama, frustrated by Karzai’s refusal to sign the accord, was due to meet top commanders at the White House on Tuesday to discuss the future of the US mission in Afghanistan.

Last month, Karzai told newsmen in Kabul that he would not sign the security deal with the US if Washington did not guarantee peace in the war-torn country. The Afghan president also blamed the US for pursuing wrong policies in the so-called fight against terrorism.

Must read

Recent News

There is no harm to change strategy in Balochistan to bring the peace

There is no harm in changing strategy in Balochistan to bring peace

0
DND ReportThere is no doubt left that Quetta Railway Station's suicide bombing targeted personnel of security forces who were leaving Quetta for their homes....

Fight against terrorism requires support of all Pakistanis, believes COAS Gen Asim Munir

0
Quetta, Pakistan:  COAS Gen Asim Munir has said that the fight against terrorism requires the support of all Pakistanis.COAS highlighted that terrorism will never...
The hidden linkages among BLA, TTP, and PTI

The hidden linkages among BLA, TTP, and PTI

0
Islamabad, Pakistan: Another targeted suicide bombing in Quetta (Railway Station) has confirmed again that enemies are not sitting idle and they do not miss...

The Ruling Elite Decides the Destiny of Poor Pakistanis: A Story of Dreams Lost...

0
By Maria HameedIn a small village on the periphery of Lahore, Muhammad Bota wakes up before dawn every day. His routine is as predictable...
Donald Trump gave a winning speech before the official results

Donald Trump gave a winning speech before the official results saying he will not...

0
Monitoring Desk: Thanking his children, wife, supporters, and all who stood with him, Donald Trump gave a winning address before official results were announced....
Advertisement