Afghanistan's Abdullah Abdullah appreciates Pakistan's support for peace process
The Afghan leader thanked PM Imran for his cooperation in the regional consensus for achieving peace
ISLAMABAD/KABUL (Dunya News) – Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday telephoned Afghan High Council for National Reconciliation chairman Abdullah Abdullah and discussed Afghan peace process.
During the telephonic conversation, PM Imran Khan emphasized importance of Pakistan-Afghanistan bilateral relations, which are based on commonalities of faith and culture, shared history, and fraternal bonds between the two peoples.
The prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to further deepen these brotherly ties and enhance cooperation in all fields.
He underlined his long-standing belief that there was no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan and that a negotiated political settlement was the only way forward.
Highlighting Pakistan’s positive contribution to the Afghan peace process, Imran Khan stressed that the Afghan leaders must seize this historic opportunity to achieve an inclusive political settlement contributing to durable peace, security and prosperity in Afghanistan.
Pakistan looks forward to the commencement of Intra-Afghan Negotiations at the earliest, the prime minister said.
PM Imran extended best wishes to Dr Abdullah Abdullah as Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation and expressed the hope that the Council will successfully achieve its objectives.
He reiterated the invitation to Dr Abdullah Abdullah to visit Pakistan at the earliest to share perspectives on advancing the Afghan peace process and forging closer ties between the two countries.
On the other hand, the Afghan High Council for National Reconciliation chairman appreciated Pakistan’s support for the peace process.
In a phone call with HE @ImranKhanPTI, I appreciated PAK s support for the peace process. We reiterated on the unique opportunity to reduce violence, start I/A talks & pursue a path to a dignified & durable peace.
— Dr. Abdullah Abdullah (@DrabdullahCE) August 26, 2020
I thanked the PM for invitation, & visit Pakistan in near future. pic.twitter.com/xcb4ulEXlI
He said, “An exceptional opportunity for peace has been provided in Afghanistan and we must seize this opportunity to achieve it.”
The Afghan leader thanked PM Imran for his cooperation in the regional consensus for achieving peace and for the invitation to visit Pakistan.
Taliban delegation meets FM Shah Mahmood Qureshi
On Tuesday, a delegation of Afghan Taliban led by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban’s chief peace negotiator, met with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi at the Foreign Ministry and discussed various issues of mutual interest including recent progress in the Afghanistan peace process and the early convening of intra-Afghan talks.
The Afghan Taliban delegation briefed the Foreign Minister on latest developments in the implementation of US-Taliban peace deal while the Foreign Minister apprised the delegation about potential sabotage of the Afghan peace process.
The Afghan Taliban delegation thanked the Foreign Minister for Pakistan’s sincere support and continued efforts towards peace in Afghanistan.
FM Qureshi warned the Afghan Taliban delegation of spoilers and saboteurs of the Afghan peace process, saying that Pakistan wishes for intra-Afghan peace talks to be held soon to ensure peace and stability in the region.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that Pakistan’s position from day one has been that a lasting and permanent solution to the problem is only possible through an Afghan-led dialogue.
The Foreign Minister said that as a shared responsibility, Pakistan has been playing a reconciliatory role in the Afghan peace process, which proved fruitful in the form of the Taliban-US peace agreement in Doha on February 29.
He said that we expect the Afghan leadership to take full advantage of this rare opportunity at peace in Afghanistan as a result of this agreement. Pakistan wishes for the early convening of intra-Afghan talks to ensure peace and stability in the region, he added.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that Pakistan and Afghanistan have long-standing religious, historical and geographical ties. He also urged the International community to step up its efforts to bring economic stability in the war-torn country.
