Atmar: Cutting Ties with Terrorist Networks Key Condition for Istanbul Talks
Mohammad Haneef Atmar, former Afghan Foreign Minister, has emphasized key requirements for achieving lasting peace ahead of a new round of talks between the Taliban administration and the Pakistani government, set to begin tomorrow in Turkey with joint hosting by Qatar.
Atmar stated that finding a solution to the ongoing war is the direct responsibility of the negotiating delegations. He noted that the first step must be the establishment of a comprehensive ceasefire, including a halt to ground and air attacks and an end to belligerent rhetoric from both sides.
He highlighted the complete severance of all ties with terrorist networks—including al-Qaeda, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, the East Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, ISIS, and others—as a second vital aspect of the talks. Atmar proposed the creation of a mechanism to monitor and verify these commitments under the supervision of the United Nations Security Council to prevent the creation of safe havens, training centers, and support infrastructure for terrorists.
Underscoring the importance of people’s rights, Atmar stressed that officials from both countries must commit to the most fundamental civil liberties and rights, and ensure that the population has a genuine role in determining their future.
In his concluding remarks, Atmar expressed hope that Turkey, Qatar, and other members of the Doha process—under UN supervision—will help facilitate negotiations between the Taliban administration and the Afghan political opposition to reach an inclusive political agreement. He added that sustainable peace, stability, and prosperity in the region can only be achieved if the principles of responsible governance and public participation are upheld.
