‘Ridiculous’ expectations for peace talks, says Hina Rabbani Khar

Published on Saturday 18 February 2012 02:40

Pakistan told Afghanistan yesterday it was “preposterous” to think Islamabad could deliver the Taleban’s leader to the negotiating table and warned against “ridiculous” expectations about peace talks.

The public comments by Pakistan’s foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar were an unusually harsh upbraiding for the realms of the diplomatic world, where such quarrels usually play out behind closed doors.

Ms Khar spoke following talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Islamabad that were supposed to identify specific steps Pakistan would take to facilitate peace negotiations.

The minister said Pakistan supports an Afghan-led peace process, but cautioned against Kabul expecting too much in terms of Islamabad’s ability to provide them access to the Taleban’s leaders.

Ms Khar said: “If you have unrealistic, almost ridiculous expectations, then you don’t have common ground to begin with.”

Pakistan is seen as key to the process because much of the Taleban leadership, including its chief, Mullah Omar, is believed to be based in the country, and the government has historical ties with the group. Analysts say Pakistan can either help the talks or act as a spoiler.

But Islamabad has always denied that Taleban leaders are using its territory and rejected allegations that the Pakistani government has maintained its links to the group.

It is unclear whether Afghan president Hamid Karzai asked Pakistan for help getting to Omar during his current visit to Islamabad. But he has called on Pakistan to facilitate contact with Omar and other Taleban leaders in the past.

Ms Khar indicated her government was still uncertain on what role Afghanistan wanted Islamabad to play in the peace negotiations, saying “they have not conveyed that clarity to us”.