(The News Inl. 31 Jan 2013)LONDON: Important on-and-off-the-record meetings are set to take place in London over the span of a week as President Asif Ali Zardari and Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani arrive in Britain on Thursday and Friday. The two will be accompanied by their key lieutenants and their stay in the British capital for a significantly long time is seen as important as elections approach in Pakistan.
Sources have told The News that the president and the army chief will jointly hold talks with the British government as well as with Afghan government delegation as part of the trilateral dialogue series.
It is said that President Hamid Karzai will also be staying in London for a long duration as part of the same meetings. President Zardari and General Kayani will meet David Cameron and other senior British government officials about the situation on Afghanistan-Pakistan border, the withdrawal of Nato troops from Afghanistan.
The News has confirmation that General Kayani will hold talks with British military commanders as well as with intelligence chiefs. Both Pakistani and British sides are not revealing details of the meeting but some people believe that representatives of Taliban may also be included in these talks to convince them to drop their weapons and become part of the democratic process.
Other than talks with the British government officials, it is expected that President Zardari will meet Pakistani politicians, including a possible meeting with Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain, about cooperation in the upcoming general election. Pakistan People's Party (PPP) fears that the MQM will ditch it if it loses in the next election will form an alliance with any other party, including Pakistan Muslim League-N. The release of key Taliban officials by Pakistan recently has given birth to hopes that a settlement may be reached in Afghanistan in which Taliban, who remain undefeated after getting into war with the Nato forces for more than a decade, will be given stakes.
There is growing realization in the west that Taliban cannot be eliminated through the use of force and that Pakistan's standpoint on the need for negotiating with Taliban has gained currency in the western capitals. Public in these countries is disillusioned and doesn't believe that a military solution is possible.
The disappointment in the public is so strong that from President Barack Obama to David Cameron and other leaders, there is constant talk of 2014 deadline to keep the emotions of public in check. Pakistan's role in the 'war on terror' has not been truly acknowledged as more than 40,000 Pakistanis have sacrificed their lives and Pakistan has suffered immensely in economic and social terms but Pakistan's stance that Pahstuns should not be sidelined and must be treated as the most essential partners in the stability of Afghanistan is now being acknowledged in the western capitals.
Western countries now firmly believe that after the withdrawal of Nato troops from Afghanistan, only Pakistan can provide security and stability structures in its neighbouring with which it shares thousands of miles of border. Sources said that during two days of official meetings, the three countries will review the strategic partnership and set goals for the future.
Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Foreign Secretary Syed Jalil Abbas Jilani will also accompany the president in his trip to the United Kingdom. At least two senior generals will accompany General Kayani throughout his stay in the country.