Islamabad: Shocked by Pakistan`s `complacency` in the nascent Afghan peace process, Afghanistan Deputy Foreign Minister Jawed Ludin has said Kabul is ready to work for peace without Islamabad`s help on reconciliation.
It was the first time Afghanistan has suggested the possibility of going alone without its neighbour. Regional power Pakistan is seen as critical to stabilising Afghanistan because of its long ties to insurgent groups, reports the Daily Times.
Afghan officials had been pushing Pakistan hard to encourage the Taliban and other groups to join reconciliation efforts and Kabul had spoken of progress after Islamabad released some Taliban prisoners who could promote peace.
But Ludin said that Afghanistan had noted a shift in Pakistan`s position towards peace efforts that are gaining more urgency as foreign forces prepare to leave by the end of 2014.
Ludin said Pakistan`s concept of the peace process is one that will reverse the achievement of the last 10 years that will negate the centrality of the Afghan state. He suggested Pakistan wanted Afghanistan to remain unstable so that militant groups allegedly backed by Islamabad would be in a position to capitalise on instability after 2014.
ANI
