In roughly 90 percent of the country, Afghan police and soldiers are taking the fight to the Taliban alone, a first in 12 years of war. U.S. and NATO soldiers have slipped quietly into the background and providing backup when needed. AP/Anja
TEMPO.CO, Islamabad - The new Pakistan government intends to negotiate with Taliban militants to end the serious conflict that has already claimed many lives. Since the beginning of the Afghanistan conflict in 2001, Pakistan has been facing serious security issues. The aggressive acts of Taliban militants hiding in Pakistan’s northwestern territories have killed thousands of people.
Central leader of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N), Siddiq-ul-Farooq, said this security issue must be resolved through dialogue. He believes the approach used by the United States and its allies to combat terrorism since the September 11 tragedy have been counterproductive.
Inspired by Al Qaeda's Islamist ideology, Taliban militants have frequently announced their desire to turn Pakistan into an Islamic state. Leaders openly claimed they want it to look like Afghanistan under the Taliban’s regime from 1996 to 2001.
Security expert Maria Sultan said this a good time for negotiations with the Taliban. There have been changes in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Federally Administrative Tribal Area in Pakistan has been cleared by at least 85 percent.
Pakistan decided to open the doors for peace talks after armed violence has rigorously erupted these past few months. Islamabad announced yesterday as a day for mourning after the attack on Quetta in Pakistan killed 25 people.
