KABUL: Afghanistan says it is ready to work for Afghan peace process without Pakistan’s help because of the “complacency” in Islamabad’s attitude.
It is the first time Afghanistan has suggested the possibility of going it alone without Pakistan.
Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Jawed Ludin told Reuters news agency on Wednesday that the government would look to senior Taliban prisoners recently handed over by the United States in Bagram prison to urge militants to pursue peace.
Afghan officials had been pushing Pakistan hard to influence the Taliban and other groups to join reconciliation efforts and Kabul had spoken of progress after Islamabad released some Taliban prisoners who could promote peace.
However, the minister said Afghanistan had noted a shift in Pakistan’s position towards peace efforts that are gaining more urgency as foreign forces prepare to leave by the end of 2014.
“We here in Kabul are in a bit of a state of shock at once again being confronted by the depth of Pakistan’s complacency, we are just very disappointed,” he said.
“But what has happened in the last few months for us, (we) see that Pakistan is changing the goal post every time we reach understanding.”
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