Afghanistan Times
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President Ashraf Ghani’s effort to negotiate with the country’s leading terrorist grou –Taliban, by developing a scene of acceptance with use of unprecedented push of ceasefire, has succeeded at somehow to generate hope among Afghan masses that peace and stability is possible to be resorted in the country. The more crisis in Afghanistan is deepening the more President Ghani needs to engaged the Taliban through one or another channel. In that framework, for the first time ever, the Taliban reciprocated the government’s call of truce for a three-day during Eid holiday period. But will Taliban embrace ceasefire for another time? Do they once again overflow to the cities from their hideouts? What will be difference from the last one? Do they yet again hug Afghan security forces, and pose for selfies with them and Afghan citizens in the upcoming ceasefire probably to be announced in forthcoming Eid. With pessimism views, likely Taliban to spout negatively for another ceasefire as Taliban leaders expressed anger over their member’s selfies with soldiers during truce days. A senior Taliban leader told Reuters that at the end of the three day ceasefire, an emergency meeting was called by Taliban leaders and all commanders were directed to take disciplinary action against those Taliban who took selfies with the people and government officials. This is the darkest side of the upcoming ceasefire that could affect truce decision. However, the second grey area in the peace efforts is the direct and indirect talks between Taliban members and some US officials. It’s also indication of totally violation of sovereignty of Afghanistan. Taliban militants are in direct war with Afghan masses. We, the Afghans have suffered a lot at the hands of Taliban, but now in surprising move, have favored direct talk with US, ingoing the Afghans and the society where they are supposed to be reintegrated once done covert dealing with US. At any rate, via any source, the Afghans desperately looking for resumption of the stalled peace talks between the government and Taliban as no more room left for Afghans to bear the brunt of casualties. There was high hope over ceasefire as the first taste of peace in 17 years was experienced “which was unique”, but it immediately decayed after the Taliban refused to extend it. The point is that why there is lack of focus in achieving sustainable peace. Taliban resumed evil operations the moment ceasefire ended, and President Ghani too called off the process, instructing security forces to chase Taliban militants. There won’t be peace in such way. Comprehensive plans needed to be devised that could lead to a durable peace and prominent ceasefire.
