Quadrilateral Cooperation Group (QCG) 5th meeting in Islamabad
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ISLAMABAD (APP): Quadrilateral Cooperation Group (QCG) 5th meeting in Islamabad
The Foreign Office Spokesman about the fifth meeting of the Quadrilateral Cooperation Group (QCG) held in Islamabad on May 18 said all members were making sincere efforts to bring Taliban and other groups to the negotiation table.
When asked about slow progress of QCG meetings, he said the conflict spanned over decades was taking its due course to settle.
"We are dealing with a 36-year-old turmoil with 15 years of military efforts by the world's powerful countries. These countries are still endeavoring for peace and stability," he said.
He said with just six months of its inception, the QCG had made sincere efforts with a unanimous opinion that peace should be given a chance, being the only option to move forward.
About objections raised by Afghan side in the QCG meeting on Pakistan for taking no action against the Haqqani network, the Spokesman said that Pakistan's sincerity should not be doubted.
"Such negative statements strengthen the interests of those who do not want peace to flourish," he said.
When sought Pakistan's response on Afghanistan's draft deal signed with Gulbadin Hekmatyar group sidetracking the QCG, he said Pakistan welcomed the move.
He said it was encouraging that Afghanistan on its own was engaging with other groups with an objective of enduring peace.
To a question on the U.S not providing F-16 fighter aircraft to Pakistan, he said the Pak-U.S relationship should not be judged within the domain of this single issue.
He said the matter was still under discussion in the U.S and the chapter had not been closed.
About arrest of Foreign Ministry's senior director, Shafqat Ali Cheema by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on charges of human trafficking, the Spokesman said the Ministry would fully cooperate on the issue.
He said the Ministry itself had initiated the reference against the director and it indicated a clear message that no concession would be made to any official involved in illegal activities.
