The upcoming three or four months are important to Pakistan; and, during this period, the Afghan peace shall take a definite trajectory. Pakistan is concerned that, with prolongation of peace process, it shall not miss the opportunity that has arrived for her in Afghanistan and around the world.

This is the main objective behind Pakistani Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s visit to Kabul.

Peace Talks

Afghan peace process is one of the shared objectives of Afghan and US governments.

The US and Taliban negotiations and agreement have paved the way for talks between Afghans, which is considered as a hope for an end to the war and maintenance of lasting peace in Afghanistan.

During the peace process, initiated by the United States and the Afghan government jointly with the Taliban, Washington side-lined the Afghan government during the parley and continued to have direct negotiations with the Taliban group. It seems that marginalizing the Afghan government from the negotiation table was one of the important proposals of the Taliban and Pakistan, because Pakistan feared that if the tripartite talks (Afghan, Taliban and US) took place, the game would be out of Pakistan's hands. Therefore, Pakistan was able to convince the United States and some Afghan politicians to take the Afghan government and, then, the politicians out of the process respectively.

Pakistan and the Taliban have been able to acquaint with the Afghan government as a hindrance of peace process to the international community. It has resulted in imposing extreme popular and regional pressure on Afghan government, where its every action was met with countless reactions, and it continues.   

For being successful in its first goal of marginalizing the Afghan government and politicians from the negotiating table, Pakistan has successfully prepared for the second round of talks in order to demonstrate its importance and influence for the Afghan government and the world. To achieve this objective, Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) flew to Kabul met with President Ghani, and Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, Chairman of the National Reconciliation Council.

On the social media, it was, however, reported that visit of the high-ranking Pakistani military official to Afghanistan coincided with efforts by the United States to hold direct intra-Afghan talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government.

General Qamar Bajwa's visit to Kabul comes as Afghans are still sceptical of Pakistan's intentions and majority of Afghans and international community consider Pakistan as a powerful supporter of terrorism in the region, and it is thought that Pakistan seeks to install its desired and puppet government in Afghanistan.

In resolving the conflict and reducing violence in Afghanistan, Pakistan welcomes the peace process in order to get rid of the accusations of supporting the Taliban, and to make a useful effort to promote its personal interests and gain privileges from the United States.

Afghanistan and Pakistan can benefit from each other through political, economic and strategic relations.

Pakistan and US Interest in the Afghan peace process

The main US effort is to win the peace process and have inter-Afghan negotiations commenced based on the interests of two countries. Donald Trump's desire to end the war and support the peace process in Afghanistan is considered to gain privileges and win the next US Presidential Elections. On the other hand, Trump is trying to show the world that he can resolve complex issues by ending the war in Afghanistan and putting an end to the historic war in Afghanistan, which is counted to be the most costly war in US military history. The end of the war in Afghanistan will be Donald Trump's most important campaign slogan against Democrats, as well as the possibility of his victory in the elections.

When President Trump is cuttingly criticized by his people, he talks about the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan as well as economic issues and sanctions of Iran, and promises his people that the longest US war will end soon.

By taking this opportunity, Pakistan wants to maintain its interests in the peace process on the one hand and receive many privileges from the Us and the Afghan government on the other. Pakistan still tries to bring the Taliban to power in Kabul.

Pakistan is well-aware that the next few months are important, and that it is time for the Afghan peace process to have a clear trajectory. The Pakistani military fears that if the Afghan peace process does not take a definite direction by the time of the US election, the following problems are likely to arise:

First possibility, if President Trump, who is under severe pressure, did not win the next elections, the peace process would be out of Zalmai Khalilzad's control, and will be handed over to the new government, and it is likely the new government will impose new restrictions on Pakistan.

Second probability, if Trump used the opportunity for the Afghan peace process in favour of his campaign and regained power, he, then, would change his mind about the Afghan peace process.

Third probability, if the withdrawal of foreign forces takes place before the US election, this may lead to civil war and the situation will get out of the control of the government, the Taliban and Pakistan, and it will have a heavy price for Pakistan.

Therefore, Pakistan has been sought this opportunity to gain the trust of the Afghan government and people, and to start peace intra-Afghan talks as soon as possible.

Pakistan receive following benefits from the on-going peace talks:

- To reduce international community pressures on Pakistan for it support to terrorism in the region.

- To resolve the economic crisis and attract global assistance.

- To eliminate the risks to national security as the foreign forces withdraw Afghanistan. 

- To establish a likely puppet government of Pakistan, where it interests will be preserved.

- To, once again, weaken the Afghan security forces, national institutions and the achievements of the last twenty years. 

- To do away with Pakistan's political rivals from the scene. 

For years, Pakistan's hostile interventions led to the destruction of the internal situation in Afghanistan, which has resulted in Afghan people and government’s distrust. That is why Pakistan is now trying to promote itself and support peace in Afghanistan for the sake of its political interests, and based on the new US policy. One of the main goals of General Bajwa's visit to Kabul was to eliminate the Afghan distrust of Pakistan and to restore Afghan faith and friendship by supporting the peace process in Afghanistan.

Recently, the Afghan peace process has become a lucrative phenomenon in the region and the world, which has been completely transformed from a field of action into a slogan and concessions. The US president is using the process as his campaign slogan for the upcoming US Presidential Elections. Pakistan wants to force foreign forces to leave Afghanistan and promote the Taliban from a terrorist group to a strong political movement, and thus, to increase its influence in Afghanistan through it.

Despite all these problems and pessimism about the intentions of regional countries and the world, peace is the aspiration of Afghans, and there is an optimism accompanied by anxiety and worry existed among the people. It is up to the Afghan government, political groups and, to some extent, the Taliban to understand the current complex situation and not to sacrifice the peace process for the preservice of influence and interests of others.