PERSPECTIVES FROM PAKISTAN ON AFGHAN PEACE AND RECONCILIATION 3

Pak Institute for Peace Studies has released its 3rd quarterly monitor on Afghanistan titled “Perspectives from Pakistan on Afghan Peace and Reconciliation-III.” It is the outcome of comprehensive monitoring and analysis of the opinions of different segments of Pakistani society and state institutions on the emerging Afghan situation and covers the period from January to March 2022. Though the Western world has yet to determine its interpretation of the Taliban 2.0, it has shown leniency in its sanctions towards the Taliban-led Afghanistan and increased its engagement with the new regime.  On one side, Oslo Talks and Doha Conference marked the onset of diplomatic detente between the Taliban and the world community, while on the other side, the United States despite being a key player has demonstrated inconsistency in its approach towards the new Afghan government. Due to Afghanistan’s security loopholes and the Taliban administration’s deafening silence towards the banned TTP and extremist groups operating from Afghan soil, Pakistan’s outlook of the Taliban has also been changing recently. Although Pakistan has continued lobbying for the Taliban government’s recognition and rallying for humanitarian aid for Afghans, but it is also well aware that its policy towards Afghanistan will be shaped by the Taliban's responses on Pakistan’s border and internal securities as well as countering terrorism efforts. These are some of the findings of this monitoring report, which is expected to improve the knowledge base and awareness of key stakeholders on Pakistan’s Afghan perspective by demonstrating a critical review of varying viewpoints, positions, mainly around emerging events and developments in Afghanistan and their implications for Pakistan and the region.