-Asks Afghan leaders to aim for durable peace and stability for the people of
Afghanistan
-Reiterates solution to conflict lies only in talks
-Reaffirms Pakistan’s consistent support to an inclusive, broad-based political settlement
By Ajmal Khan Yousafzai
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan Friday said the Intra-Afghan Negotiations provide a historic opportunity to the Afghan leaders for achieving durable peace and stability through an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process.
He was talking to a delegation of Taliban Political Commission (TPC), headed by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, who called on him here at the PM House.
“The discussions focused on the progress in the Afghan peace process and the way forward,” a statement from the media office of the Prime Minister said.
Reiterating that there was no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan, Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed hope that the Afghan parties would continue to build on the recent positive developments in the Intra-Afghan Negotiations.The Prime Minister underscored Pakistan’s consistent support to an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement. He also underlined the need to be vigilant about the role of spoilers, who continue to make attempts to disrupt and derail the peace process.
He expressed concern over the high level of violence and called on all sides for reduction in violence leading to ceasefire. He said return of peace and stability in Afghanistan would provide a strong impetus to economic development, regional integration, and connectivity, benefitting Afghanistan and the region. The TPC delegation’s visit was part of Pakistan’s serious efforts to facilitate Afghan peace process to achieve a peaceful, stable, united, independent, sovereign and prosperous Afghanistan.
Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday by a phone call with Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani discussed progress in the ongoing Afghan peace process and strengthening of Pakistan-Afghanistan relations.
The prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s steadfast support for the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process for a political solution to the conflict in Afghanistan, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release. In this regard, the prime minister welcomed the recent progress in the intra-Afghan negotiations in Doha. Prime Minister Imran Khan underlined that Pakistan’s outreach to all Afghan stakeholders was part of its facilitative efforts to ensure progress towards an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement.
