Pakistan to free more Afghan Taliban prisoners: Sartaj Aziz

Advisor to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz Sunday hinted release of more Afghan Taliban to push the elusive peace process in the war-torn Afghanistan.

Addressing a joint news conference along with Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul in Kabul on Sunday‚ he said that a peaceful and stable and united Afghanistan is in the vital interest of Pakistan and it will continue to support the efforts for peace and reconciliation in the neighboring country.

“This is an important phase in Afghanistan’s history with the process of security transition and NATO troops are leaving and also a political transition.”

He said Pakistan wishes Afghanistan every success in these two important milestones.

Sartaj Aziz said we believe the process must be Afghan-led and Afghan-owned.

In this process inclusiveness is importance. He said Pakistan approaches even-handed and we wish every group in the Afghan family to be part of the reconciliation process.

He said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif yesterday made an important policy statement that Pakistan will not interfere in the internal affairs of Afghanistan and that we support no particular sides.

Pakistan would also reinforce regional efforts in support of the reconciliation process and persuade all regional countries to adopt the same policy of non-interference and non-choosing any particular group.

“At the same time‚ we also want to improve Pakistan-Afghanistan relationship because that demands our shared objectives of peace‚ stability and prosperity can only be promoted if we have closer economic and trade ties.”

The Advisor said new government in Pakistan is desirous of deepening and broadening fraternal relationship in all its dimensions.

Referring to his meeting with Afghan Foreign Minister he said the discussions will lead to a concrete agenda of corporation in trade‚ economic and of peace and reconciliation matters which will be taken up by President Karzai and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif when President Karzai visits Pakistan.

Dr. Zalmai Rassoul said the current Afghan Government‚ under the leadership of President Hamid Karzai‚ has undertaken the efforts towards improving and strengthening relations with Pakistan‚ especially in strengthening cooperation between the two countries in effectively fighting against terrorism. He said no other government in Afghanistan has made so many efforts towards this end.

He hoped to open a new page of honest and result-oriented cooperation with the newly elected Pakistani government under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

He said the Afghan government is hopeful to have considerable progress and achievements with the new elected Pakistani government in cooperation between the two countries in all areas‚ including cooperation in fighting against terrorism and extremism and the networks and systems supporting them‚ on the peace process‚ in the political‚ economic‚ and cultural arenas and in people to people relations.

Earlier‚ advisor on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz held talks with Afghan Foreign Miniser Dr. Zalmai Rasul‚ in Kabul on Sunday.

The two sides discussed ways to further promote bilateral relations and prospects for peace in Afghanistan.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=40978

Posted by Tahir Khan on Jul 21 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.