Army links talks to Taliban disarming

Extending support to the government-led initiatives for political settlement with the Taliban, the military leadership has again rejected unconditional talks with the militants.Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani chaired the 157th Corps Commanders Conference at the GHQ on Thursday which was also attended by the principal staff officers (PSOs) and military spymasters.

The top brass reviewed arrangements for the provision of security during the polls in addition to contemplating on military training programme for Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF).The meeting mapped out strategy for the rehabilitation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the conflict-ridden Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) ahead of the general elections.

The conference, according to military officials, had ‘extraordinary’ significance, given that both the internal and external security-related matters were taken up for extensive discussion. The commanders’ moot also reviewed the security arrangement at the Eastern border against the backdrop of the recent hostility at the Line of Control (LoC). “This has happened after a long time that the security arrangements at the Eastern border have been focused,” a senior security official commented while referring to the deadly clashes between Pakistan and Indian armies at the LoC.

However, a brief military statement on the commanders’ conference stated that professional matters were discussed during the meeting.The Pak-Afghan border coordination measures with reference to the joint cooperation between Pakistan Army, Afghan National Army and Isaf against the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) by the militants as well as the arrival of new Isaf commander were reportedly part of the commanders meeting. General Kayani is said to have shared with his aides the details regarding his participation in the Trilateral London Conference on Afghanistan held earlier this month.

The meeting coincided with the All Parties Conference (APC) on peace convened by the Awami National Party and attended by 24 political parties to support negotiations with the Taliban.Responding to the offer of conditional talks put up by the militants, the military commanders reportedly rejected it, saying that the possibility of calling off military operations in Fata is linked with militants’ unconditional surrender and their allegiance to Pakistan’s statehood. “They have to show willingness through action otherwise there’s no way ahead,” said a military officer.

Separately, the Foreign Office had announced that Pak-Afghan ‘Ulema’ Conference (a moot of religious scholars) would be held in Kabul on March 10.Reportedly, the discussions on the upcoming Ulema Conference in Afghanistan and the recent visit of the Afghan clerics also stayed high in the commanders’ moot.

In the aftermath of the five-day visit of Afghan military delegation to Pakistan led by General Bismillah Khan Muhammadi, Afghan defence minister, the two sides are said to have contemplated on the provision of military training to Afghan soldiers by the Pakistan Army. The delegation had visited Pakistan’s key military training institutions in Quetta, Islamabad, Abbottabad, Jhelum and Shinkiari.

The Inspector General Training and Evaluation Lieutenant General Raheel Sharif, who was also part of the conference, briefed the participants about the training programme and progress made so far in this regard. The reported understanding between Pakistan and Afghanistan’s military establishments envisages phase-wise training of mid-career Afghan military officers and newly inducted recruits at Pakistan’s military training centres. Some 200 Afghans are likely to get training here in the next two years. The training programme for Afghan National Police officials is also being deliberated upon.

Earlier in January, the military leadership, in the 156th Corps Commanders Conference had also rejected the conditional talks with the militants, spurning the TTP offer. Although, Pakistan has freed a dozen Taliban prisoners, the military officials say peace with the militants is only possible if they ‘mend their ways’. The military sources do not foresee a ‘logical conclusion’ to this episode in case the Taliban refuse to budge from their stance.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Wednesday had ruled out any possibility of peace talks with the Taliban until they laid down arms. “The government is ready to hold dialogue with Taliban, if they will announce ceasefire and appoint some sincere religious scholar to achieve purposeful results,” the minister had told reporters.