Moot being held in Tashkent to mainstream Taliban

ISLAMABAD: A two-day conference is being held on March 26 and 27 in Tashkent, capital of Uzbekistan, with an objective to devise strategy for talks with Afghan Taliban to bring them into political mainstream and end disturbance in Afghanistan.

The conference will be attended by the United States, China, Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, UAE, Kirghizstan and Tajikistan in which Taliban have not been invited. The reason for denying them is said to be their reluctance in such a conference and they have expressed their intention to give reaction on whatever mechanism comes out of it. Their presence in the conference could be fizzled out if the Taliban participate and outright reject its proceedings, the organiser are of the view.

The significance of the Tashkent conference has further been increased following a fresh statement by former American commander Gen Games who said, “There was no military solution to Afghan imbroglio.” The conference will also further explore chances for conducting future talks through Islamabad which has showed its willingness to coordinate and make the talks with militants outfit possible.