ISLAMABAD – Pakistan and Afghan Taliban have agreed on the need forearliest resumption of the Afghan peace process.
The understanding came at a meeting between Foreign Minister Shah MahmoodQureshi and a delegation of the Taliban Political Commission led by itshead Mulla Abdul Ghani Baradar in Doha, in Islamabad on Thursday.
The Foreign Minister reiterated Pakistan’s commitment and continued strongsupport for all efforts in this regard.
He said Pakistan will continue to support all efforts to achieve permanentpeace in Afghanistan, which is essential for Pakistan’s own socio-economicdevelopment and progress.
It was emphasized that reduction of violence by all parties to the conflictis necessary to provide an enabling environment for resumption of the peaceprocess at an early date.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the direct Taliban-US talks since last year,strongly and sincerely supported by Pakistan, have now laid a firm groundfor achieving a sustainable peace deal in Afghanistan.
Read Top Stories
While appreciating Taliban’s serious engagement in the peace process, theForeign Minister underscored the need to take these efforts to theirlogical conclusion.
He expressed the hope that the currently paused peace process would berestarted at an early date.
The Foreign Minister said Pakistan has maintained for several years thatthere is no military solution to the complex situation in Afghanistan. Aninclusive peace and reconciliation process, involving all sections of theAfghan society, is the only, practical way forward.
Thanking Pakistan for the hospitality, the TPC delegation appreciatedPakistan’s support for peace in Afghanistan.
