Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's offer to the Taliban

I have been analyzing the Afghan conflict  from different perspectives. A perception do exist regarding the return to the 90s era of extreme laws governing the Afghan state. President Ghani's offer to Taliban in current circumstances, seems like a frustrated attempt to finally mend ways with the militant outfit recognizing the fact that Taliban are actively governing almost 40-60 percent of Afghanistan (mostly rural areas).Taliban Control: Main highways and arteries are under their influence. The Afghan state is hampered by infighting amongst ethnic groups and a demoralized army can not sustain the challenges of assymetric warfare from Taliban and ISIS.Opportunity in Disguise: In the back ground of prevailing facts, reconciliation with Taliban is something that could be termed as positive subject to certain conditions. Afghanistan alongwith Pakistan is being discussed as the transit corridor for central asia energy and goods export to south Asia, middle east, Europe and Africa. North South Trade Corridor (NSTC) will be highly effective if stability ensues in Afghanistan. I am optimistic purely on economic grounds.

TAPI, CASA 1000, connecting Herat Kandahar, Quetta, Gwadar and mazar sharif, kabul, Peshawar highways are essential for the land locked state. I am looking at a huge flow of investment coming after the stability of Afghanistan in conenction with energy, trade and transit infrastructure.

Red Lines: Protection of the women rights and constitution must never be compromised. giving political identification to Afghan Taliban can be the best decision in current scenario on many grounds.  I believe if the economics play its trick, gradually everything will fall in its place. Taliban are also transformed and the fact they can never control the cities owing to ISAF presence in Afghanistan heavily influenced their thinking. They will also be willing to move on consciously after learning some hard lessons. 

Better Control on Narco Trade: I am no fan of Taliban but after one verdict of Mullah omer, the world witnessed the narco trade (biggest source of terror financing) ceased to exist across Afghanistan.

United front Against ISIS: Another opportunity arising from a negotiated settled would be the focus on eliminating ISIS (non afghan entity- very important fact) with renewed focus.

Fears and Insecurities: In the hind sight, we can always discuss negative consequences for the Afghan polity in general. It is heartbreaking to see Afghanistan which is not even a shadow of its past. However, baby steps like the above must be taken to avoid total collapse of the society at large. Undermining the Great Game at the Cost of Afghanistan Should be Avoided: The negotiated settlement will shrink space for outsiders (Afghanistan is in the middle of great game Indo- US vs Russia, China, Iran, Pakistan and certain central Asian Republics). The US presence is no longer attached to nation building but to counter the interests of the opponent camp. This battle is not favoring Afghanistan.  Realization on Part of Pakistan: I also want to mention the role of Pakistan's military establishment. I feel there seems to be a consensus on supporting Afghan led peace process while playing an assisting role if required rather than influencing the process for its own interest. Pakistan wants a strong, secure and friendly Afghanistan. The only concern remains the creeping influence of India to present a two front situation from Afghan-Pakistan border to destabilize Pakistan which needs to be looked after.