ISLAMABAD — Pakistan, acknowledging Iran’s role in Afghan peace process,has said that regional consensus is important for the success andsustainability of reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan.

Pakistan Foreign ministry spokesman Muhammad Faisal, while responding to aquestion of IRNA at his weekly media briefing in Islamabad on Thursday,said Pakistan believes that neighbors of Afghanistan should be on board toplay a role for Afghan peace process.

“On the request of the US and Afghanistan, Pakistan is facilitating peacetalks between the US and the Taliban. Pakistan has always maintained thatAfghanistan neighbors and important regional countries should be on boardto play a role for Afghan peace process,” he said.

The spokesperson added that regional consensus on Afghan peace process isimportant and we have seen reports about Iran-Taliban talks. “In recentmonths we have seen engagements of Taliban with various countries and theirparticipations in international conferences,” he said.

Muhammad Faisal to a question said Pakistan government maintains a policyof outreach in region. “Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi visitedAfghanistan, Iran, China, Russia and Qatar. FM held consultations with theleadership of these countries on strengthening bilateral relations andexpanding mutually beneficial economic and development cooperation,” hesaid.

The spokesperson went on to say that Pakistani foreign minister alsoexchanged views on the regional political situation as well as recentdevelopments in Afghan peace process.

He said foreign minister briefed his interlocutors about Pakistan’s effortsto facilitate direct talks between the US and Afghanistan.