Former Taliban leader Mutasem Agha Jan was reportedly brought to Kabul on Saturday after being detained in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) under murky circumstances last week. Mutasem is part of a last ditch effort by the Hamid Karzai administration to get peace talks on track before Afghanistan’s new president is elected.
Mutasem’s disappearance was just one of a number of challenges that beset efforts at reconciliation with the Taliban. According to some reports, Mutasem has been excommunicated by the Taliban, who have shown little interest in negotiating with Karzai and the High Peace Council (HPC). A number of analysts have now suggested that Pakistani intelligence has actively tried to derail negotiations, by attacking and arresting Taliban leaders interested in talks.
“Most of the people who wanted to take part in the peace talks were killed by the intelligence agency of Pakistan,” military analyst Atiqullah Amarkhail said on Sunday.
Kabul has long implored Islamabad to help in efforts to negotiate with Taliban leaders, many of which are thought to reside in Pakistan, but little if any tangible aid has ever been given. Most in Afghanistan still see Pakistan as the Taliban’s key patron.
Mutasem went missing in the UAE early last week, while there to meet with members of the HPC. Although Afghan officials claimed he had been arrested by the UAE, Abu Dhabi did not acknowledge that to be true.
With Mutasem now in Kabul, it is likely he will be milked for all he is worth, being one of the few former Taliban elite who have shown a consistent and concerted interest in peace talks.
A government official who asked to speak on condition of anonymity confirmed Mutasem was moved from Dubai to Kabul on Saturday and transported to a secure location in unmarked vehicles.
“A lack of cooperation among countries who made promises, and pressure from Pakistan, caused Mutasem to come to Kabul, which is in fact better for the High Peace Council and government because Afghan cities are a safer place for peace talks,” military analyst Jawed Kohistani said. “Any Taliban who are interested, they can join the discussion.”
Mutasem was injured in an attack in August of 2011 in Karachi, Pakistan. Mutasem received treatment in Turkey where he moved permanently. He also spent time in Dubai.
Tolonews
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