By RFE/RL’s Radio Mashaal May 18, 2016 Islamabad is hosting a fifth round of four-nation Afghan peace talks aimed at reviving long-stalled negotiations between the Taliban and the Afghan government. Afghanistan’s ambassador to Pakistan, Omar Zakhilwal, is representing Kabul at the meeting with diplomats from Pakistan, the United States, and China. A spokesman for Afghan
VOA News Ayaz Gul May 17, 2016 ISLAMABAD—Pakistan says it is “sincerely” making efforts to reach a negotiated end to the conflict in Afghanistan because doing so would address Islamabad’s own security concerns and encourage millions of Afghan refugees and migrants who have lived in Pakistan for decades to return to their country. National Security
VOA News Akmal Dawi, Noor Zahid May 16, 2016 The United States on Monday said it will not oppose the ongoing political talks aimed at resolving conflicts between the Afghan government and the insurgent group Hezb-i-Islami led by former prime minister Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. A Department of State official told VOA’s Afghan Service “the United States does
The Los Angeles Times: He was a CIA ally against the Soviet Union, a friend of Osama bin Laden and a ruthless insurgent leader whose forces killed thousands of civilians during the Afghan civil war. Now the inveterate militant Gulbuddin Hekmatyar is trying to open a new chapter by making peace with the Afghan government. Click here to
VOA News Ayaz Gul May 15, 2016 ISLAMABAD—Afghanistan security forces said Sunday they have halted advances overnight by the Taliban on a key northern city and inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy. The fighting on the outskirts of Pul-e-Khumri, capital of Baghlan province, erupted when the Taliban overran several villages and security outposts, residents and
Tolo News: A draft agreement on peace between the Afghan government and Hezb-e Islami political party shows that government could be willing to bring Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, leader of the party, and other key members into the fold by giving them special privileges. Click here to read more (external link).
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty May 14, 2016 The Afghan High Peace Council (AHPC) says it has agreed on the main points of a peace deal with the Hezb-e Islami militant group. A spokesman for the AHPC, the presidentially appointed body tasked with pursuing peace settlements with militant groups, told RFE/RL’s Radio Free Afghanistan that the
VOA News Ayesha Tanzeem May 12, 2016 ISLAMABAD—Pakistan is hesitant to take action against the Afghan Taliban on its soil because of concerns the group will re-direct its violence against Pakistan and Afghan intelligence will support it, a senior Pakistani official said. “We have to think twice before taking action. Anybody we take action against
The New York Times: Since his days as a C.I.A.backed Afghan guerrilla leader against the Soviets in the 1980s, the former prime minister and perpetual insurgent Gulbuddin Hekmatyar has always seemed to be negotiating his next shift of alliances. Now, with his Hezbi Islami militant group nearly eclipsed by the Taliban, Mr. Hekmatyar, 68, is once
VOA News Ayaz Gul May 3, 2016 ISLAMABAD—Pakistan is rejecting Afghan demands for military action against Taliban commanders within Pakistan and emphasizes the need to continue talks for a settlement to the conflict in Afghanistan. In Islamabad Tuesday, Pakistani foreign policy adviser Sartaj Aziz dismissed demands by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani that Pakistan evict Taliban