Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to resume peace dialogue

Islamabad and Kabul have agreed to restore dilly-dallied talks on the regional peace process, saying Afghan’s efforts to negotiate with the Taliban needs Pakistan’s help to be successful.

Pakistani Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on Thursday pledged to help arrange meetings between Afghan and Taliban representatives to find the way for bringing peace in the region.

British Prime Minister David Cameron, Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf held day-long talks in Kabul, agreeing to resume bilateral talks between Islamabad and Washington.

Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt General Zaheerul Islam were accompanied with the premier in talks with the top Afghan leadership.

In a joint news conference, the two leaders confirmed the resumption of two-track peace commission, which was suspended last year following the assassination of former Afghan president and peace envoy Burhanuddin Rabbani.

ISI, the Pakistan’s premier spy agency was openly accused by the Afghan officials for being behind the high-profile assassination. Pakistan strongly refuted the charges offering its help in investigating the incident.

The Afghan High Peace Council led by Rabbani’s son soon arrive Islamabad to revive the crucial process between the two countries after months of deadlock. It will evolve a joint strategy to seek a peaceful end to the Afghan conflict after the withdrawal of allied forces by the end of 2014.

At a joint news conference at the presidential palace, the Pakistani premier said Islamabad decided to reopen vital land routes for NATO forces in order to facilitate the Afghan peace process.

He observed, “Let me assure you that Pakistan does not support any terrorists. It is not in our interest and we cannot afford it. Pakistan is playing the role of facilitator. If Pakistan can facilitate in any manner, we will do it”.

He also strongly dispelled the impression that his country was doing little to help the Afghan administration reach senior Taliban leaders.

At the occasion, Afghan President Karzai said that the two countries had in-depth discussions on the issue of region peace process and they exchanged major proposals.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=29258

Posted by Faisal Farooq on Jul 20 2012. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.