Afghan truce breaking up, clashes reported

Incidentally, around the same time, Richardson was announcing in Islamabad that both Afghan factions had agreed to restrain from fresh offensive till they sit face-to-face by April 27 to discuss cease-fire.

Reports indicate the fragile peace in the war-torn country is not likely to last long as the Taliban chief, Mullah Muhammad Omar, has already rejected the idea of discussing the peace through a proposed steering committee which is scheduled to meet here by April 27. The spiritual leader of Talibans, whose words are final for his followers,insists on an ulema (religious leaders) commission to resolve the dispute.

On the other hand, Talibans’ differences with the United Nations also seems to be heading for worse as Pakistan, a close ally of Talibans, has questioned the attitude of the UN towards Talibans, urging the international organisation to establish its credentials as an impartial mediator.

“While we want the UN to play a central and impartial role, we have been urging them to establish their credentials as an impartial mediator with Talibans,” a Pakistani Foreign Office spokesman said here yesterday, adding that “an even-handed approach is essential”.