*ISLAMABAD - Pakistan takes the key role in Afghanistan endgame with World Powers in the last round of the stalled peace talks.*
Pakistan will join senior officials of Russia, China and the United States in Moscow this week as part of a renewed push to revive Afghan peace process to end the 18-year-long conflict, the Foreign Office announced on Wednesday.
At a weekly news briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal said the focus of the four-party talks would be on the stalled Afghan peace process. US chief negotiator Zalmay Khalilzad will also attend the talks scheduled for Friday in Moscow.
Initially, China, Russia and the US were part of the group but later Pakistan was invited for the consultations. Pakistan had participated in the first round of talks, which were held in Beijing in July this year.
“The next round is being held in Moscow at an opportune moment, as it would provide an important opportunity to review the currently stalled peace process. Pakistan side will be represented by Additional Secretary (Afghanistan & West Asia) in the meeting,” Faisal told reporters.
“Pakistan has been a part of all efforts and processes to discuss and facilitate peace and reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan. Pakistan’s role is particularly noteworthy in crystalising international convergence for a peaceful solution in Afghanistan,” he added.