Afghanistan: Backdoor diplomacy mired with mistrust

The ensuing mistrust between Afghanistan and Pakistan has overshadowed the ‘track-II diplomacy’ initiatives taken to lessen tensions between the two neighbours. Sources familiar with the matter say the initiatives undertaken have failed to normalise relations. According to Express Tribune, the retired security officials, diplomats and other public figures have been engaged in informal diplomacy, but to their dismay, efforts have been ineffective so far. Those involved from Pakistan include former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, former director generals of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) retired generals Ihsan-ul-Haq and Asad Durrani, and ex-ambassador Rustam Shah Mohmand. Read details in Express Tribune