ISLAMABAD – The Afghan Peace Conference scheduled to be held in Islamabadfrom 17-19 July 2021 has been postponed until after Eid Al-Adha.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri in a statement said thatnew dates of the conference will be announced later.
Reports said that Pakistan had delayed the huddle that was called amidgrowing uncertainty in the neighbouring country where Taliban continue toadvance since the withdrawal of foreign troops has been paced up.
Pakistan had invited various Afghan leaders to discuss the ongoingsituation. Reports citing sources claimed that Taliban, a key party inAfghanistan, had not been invited.
The development comes a day after FO spokesperson confirmed that Pakistanwill host the Afghan peace conference in Islamabad on July 18-19 andinvitations wre being sent to Afghan leaders for the event.
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Speaking at the weekly news briefing in the federal capital on Thursday, hesaid that Pakistan lays emphasis on political solution to the Afghanproblem. He said that Afghan people will decide their future. He said thatresolution of the Afghan issue should pave the way for repatriation ofAfghan refugees living in Pakistan. He said that Pakistan cannot afford tohost more Afghan refugees.
The Voice of America had reported citing official sources in Islamabad onWednesday that several Afghan leaders have already confirmed theirparticipation in the conference.
According to the VOA, former Afghan president Hamid Karzai, former ministerSalahuddin Rabbani, Hazara leader Haji Mohammad Mohaqiq, formerwarlord-turned politician Gulbuddin Hekmatyar and Ahmad Wali Masoud wereamong the invitees.
