BRUSSELS – NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Friday said thatPakistan role will be essential for peace and stability in Afghanistan,Dunya News reported.

Jens Stoltenberg stated this while addressing a press conference after themeetings of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs at the NATO headquarters,Brussels, Belgium.

He said that we have welcomed Afghan President President Ghani’sunprecedented offer of peace talks to the Taliban. A step he took on theconfidence provided by NATO’s support. Despite the fact that they have notyet taken up the President’s offer, we urge the Taliban to take part in anAfghan-owned and Afghan-led peace process.

Jens Stoltenberg further said that Pakistan’s role will be essential inhelping Afghanistan achieve peace and stability and we encourage Pakistanto take additional steps.