ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s comprehensive internal evaluation about the future of Afghanistan sees the neighbouring country confronted in a ‘civil war’ again with the US and the Taliban reaching no peace deal.
The United States on last Wednesday restarted peace talks with the Afghan Taliban in Qatar as part of ongoing efforts to have a political end to the 18-year long conflict.
Meanwhile, the Afghan Grand Council, commonly known as Loya Jirga convened by President Ashraf Ghani, ended on Friday with the unanimous calls for peace with the Taliban.
Ghani offered Taliban ceasefire and vowed the release of 175 Taliban prisoners ahead of the holy month of Ramazan.
These developments may have pinned hopes on a peace deal but internal assessment by Pakistan presents a gloomy picture.
“We do not want to be pessimistic, but the situation on the ground suggests that there is a remote chance of the ongoing talks between the Taliban and the US leading to any peace deal,” said a senior Pakistani official, who is part of the team dealing with Afghan affairs.
