Afghanistan and its western allies agreed at the London Conference to push peace efforts in a more comprehensive programme, including a new initiative aimed at reconciling moderate Taliban insurgents. But, is peace with the Taliban really possible? And what are the Pakistani perspectives on that issue?

The Taliban are now a country wide movement, having expanded their attacks last year to the previously quiet west and north of Afghanistan. Their leadership has safe havens in Pakistan. Casualties on all sides have risen dramatically from the previous year. The Taliban have infiltrated parts of the Afghan army and police – key components of the US plan to start transitioning to local security forces by July 2011. There is an urgent need for a public political and humanitarian strategy that can attract the Taliban, reduce violence and mitigate the anger of those Afghans opposed to all such compromises. 

In the matter of reintegrating Taliban fighters into Afghan society, the question is no longer whether to talk or not. President Hamid Karzai has already invited the Taliban to a peace jirga and UN representatives reportedly met members of the Quetta shura in Dubai to discuss the possibility of direct talks. The plan is to bring those Taliban who cut ties with Al Qaeda and abandon violence back into the social and political fold by offering security, vocational training, jobs and amnesty for past crimes.

Related readings:

The London Conference and Pakistan By Imtiaz Gul

Afghanistan on the Eve of the London Conference By Ahmed Rashid

A Deal with the Taliban? By Ahmed Rashid

The Afghanistan problem. By Ayesha Siddiqa

Talks with the Taliban. By Huma Yusuf

Osama to Obama: Palestine matters. By Imtiaz Gul