Pakistan facilitates Taliban-US talks in Qatar: spokesman

Pakistan Thursday confirmed that it has facilitated opening of Taliban Office in Doha as it is part of the larger process of reconciliation in Afghanistan.

Foreign Office Spokesman Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhary said at the weekly news briefing in Islamabad that Pakistan has been supportive of an all inclusive intra-Afghan dialogue and it is in that spirit that it extended support to the Doha process.

He expressed confidence that the process of reconciliation will help bring the war to an end and also lead to lasting peace in Afghanistan.

He said earlier when the Afghan High Peace Council delegation visited Pakistan and requested for release of Taliban prisoners in order to allow them to join the reconciliation process, Pakistan had released 26 Taliban prisoners at that time. He said Pakistan will be ready to consider all steps and efforts that can further the reconciliation in Afghanistan.

To a question he said Pakistan has been talking to both the US and Afghanistan government led by President Hamid Karzai.  He said Pakistan recognizes the Government of President Karzai as the legitimate Government of Afghanistan.

About nature and details about Doha office of Taliban, he said Pakistan just facilitated the process and the matter of opening of office was between Qatar, Taliban and United States.

Responding to a question, he said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has already stated that Pakistan is ready for talks with Taliban.

About the US drone strikes, the spokesman said Pakistan believed these must come to an end.

“Pakistan is giving high priority to the issue and the matter has been taken up at the highest level with the US Government on the instructions of the Prime Minister.”  He said there is across the board political consensus on the position of the Government of Pakistan on drones.

To a question he said the visit of the US Secretary of State John Kerry to Pakistan has been delayed due to developments in the Middle East.  He would visit Pakistan soon and the dates are being worked out.

He denied that there were any unpleasant exchanges when American Charge d’Affaires was summoned to Foreign Office by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi to register strong protest over drone strikes. He said the meeting proceeded as per normal diplomatic courtesies and there was no mishap or any discourtesy.

Responding to another question Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhary said the present Government is committed to resolve the energy crisis and for this purpose all options including Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline are under consideration.

The spokesman termed firing by Indian troops across Line of Control in Kashmir as unfortunate and said ceasefire should be respected in letter and spirit.

When his attention was drawn towards a statement of former American Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, the spokesman said Pakistan is a formidable state and is here to stay forever.

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Posted by Tahir Khan on Jun 20 2013. 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.