Reports noted that Pakistan, US and Afghanistan agreed on April 26, 2012 to provide ‘safe passage’ to Taliban militants willing to join reconciliation talks and set up a working group to settle modalities for their unhindered movement. This was announced by Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani at a press conference addressed by heads of delegations at the 6th core group meeting of the three countries. Reports noted that the move, which comes in conjunction with the three sides agreeing to coordinate their activities at the UN for removing Taliban leaders from the Security Council sanctions list, is the biggest step forward for promoting reconciliation in Afghanistan since the core group was established a year ago for the sole purpose of advancing the peace process. The announcement came weeks ahead of a NATO summit in Chicago, which would review the military effort in Afghanistan and take stock of the progress towards reconciliation.1

However, according to reports, Taliban insurgents have attacked a police post in Badakhshan province of northeast Afghanistan, killing four officers and abducting 16. Badakhshan province Deputy Gov Shams ul-Rahman said on April 26, 2012 that police reinforcements have been sent to secure the post, which sits on a key highway passing through Fayz Abad district.2

• 1. Afghan Taliban to get ‘safe passage’ for talks’, Dawn, April 28, 2012 at http://dawn.com/2012/04/28/afghan-taliban-to-get-safe-passage-for-talks/
• 2. “Taliban kill four police, abduct 16: Afghan Official”, Dawn, April 26, 2012 at http://dawn.com/2012/04/26/afghan-official-taliban-kill-4-police-abduct-16/