US envoy due today

Published June 25, 2013
US Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan James Dobbins.—File Photo
US Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan James Dobbins.—File Photo

ISLAMABAD: US Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan James Dobbins is arriving here on Tuesday on a two-day visit for discussions on the future of Afghan peace talks in Qatar’s capital Doha which have been pervaded by uncertainty from the start last week.

His hosts in Islamabad are expecting him to brief them on his discussions in Doha and Kabul, where he met leaders of the Afghan government and Taliban in an effort to salvage the peace process which virtually ran aground soon after the opening of the Taliban’s office in the Qatari capital due to controversies over the name of the office and raising of flag.

Mr Dobbins will meet Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz and other officials during his stay here.

Pakistani officials hope the process will continue, but fear that the continued stalemate could complicate it.

Sharing the Afghan government’s concerns, Mr Dobbins told journalists in Kabul that “the use of the Islamic Emirate title [by the Taliban] and the symbols, signs and nomenclature were incompatible with what had been understood to be the arrangement”. He said the US too felt outraged over the matter.

Opinion

Editorial

Tribunals’ failure
Updated 19 Nov, 2024

Tribunals’ failure

With election tribunals having failed to fulfil their purpose, it isn't surprising that Pakistan has not been able to stabilise.
Balochistan MPC
19 Nov, 2024

Balochistan MPC

WHILE immediate threats to law and order must be confronted by security forces, the long-term solution to...
Firm tax measures
19 Nov, 2024

Firm tax measures

FINANCE Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb is ready to employ force to make everyone and every sector in Pakistan pay their...
When medicine fails
Updated 18 Nov, 2024

When medicine fails

Between now and 2050, medical experts expect antibiotic resistance to kill 40m people worldwide.
Nawaz on India
Updated 18 Nov, 2024

Nawaz on India

Nawaz Sharif’s hopes of better ties with India can only be realised when New Delhi responds to Pakistan positively.
State of abuse
18 Nov, 2024

State of abuse

The state must accept that crimes against children have become endemic in the country.