Pakistani links with Taliban dangerous

Pakistan is an essential part of the political solution in Afghanistan, but any solution has to come from transparent government to government action. It cannot come from secret manipulation of Afghan parties by elements within the Pakistani establishment. Any actions by Afghanistan's neighbours must be part of a coordinated regional strategy.

Last week's meeting of Hina Rabbani Khar, Pakistani Foreign Minister, and Zalmai Rasoul, Afghan Foreign Minister, was overshadowed by the publication of a brutal Nato report which details how the Pakistani security services are in close touch with the Taliban commanders despite Pakistan's declared support for Nato and the Afghan government in their war with the Taliban. The Pakistani foreign minister was left trying to insist that her government had no secret agenda in Afghanistan, but it was hard to believe her as more and more details emerged in the Nato report.

Any chance of success in finding a political solution in Afghanistan depends on all parties agreeing to work for upholding constitutional government. It is very dangerous for some in Pakistan to try to support the Taliban so as to have a reserve position in case Nato fails and the Afghan government falls.