*ISLAMABAD – A big foreign policy challenge for Pakistan establishment andthe foreign office after the sudden twist in the Afghan Taliban and UShistoric peace talks come to a halt.*
*Pakistan may come under renewed pressure from US administration to bringback the Afghan Taliban on negotiations table.*
The sudden move by US President Donald Trump to pull out of the talks withthe Taliban will not only jeopardise the prospects of peace in Afghanistan,but also throw a new challenge for Pakistan at a time when its hands arealready full dealing with other foreign policy issues.
In its official reaction to the sudden US move, the Foreign Office calledon all sides for restraint and reminded them of the commitment to pursuepeace.
“Pakistan has been facilitating the peace and reconciliation process ingood faith and as a shared responsibility, and has encouraged all sides toremain engaged with sincerity and patience.”
Interaction with officials, who deal with the foreign policy matters,reveal that Pakistan knew that the road to peace would be bumpy but neverexpected talks to breakdown when peace accord was about to be signed by theUS and the Taliban.
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All the officials spoke on condition of anonymity since they were notauthorised to speak to the media on the subject.
One official disclosed that Pakistan knew that Trump would be having asecret meeting with senior Taliban leaders at Camp David and was hopefulthat the unprecedented meeting would pave the for the much-needed peace inAfghanistan.
Islamabad is now worried over the sudden breakdown in talks because itfears that the new situation may put more pressure on Pakistan to do moreto convince the Taliban for a ceasefire.
