ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation of Afghanistan Dr. Abdullah Abdullah has commended conciliatory and sincere efforts being made by Pakistan to take the Afghan peace process to a logical conclusion, Dispatch News Desk (DND) news agency reported.
Holding delegation-level talks with the Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in Islamabad on Monday, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah expressed his gratitude to Pakistani leadership over its role in the Afghan peace process.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi expressed hope that the Afghan delegation’s visit will open a new chapter in Pak-Afghan bilateral relations, further strengthen relations with the Afghan nation, and forge a common understanding on the Afghan peace process.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s steadfast support to the peace process, the foreign minister emphasized that Pakistan has always maintained that there is no military solution to the Afghan conflict and encouraged all parties to reach a political solution through an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process.
The foreign minister reiterated that Pakistan, as a shared responsibility, will continue to play its facilitator role in the Afghan peace process.
Qureshi said that the US-Taliban peace agreement and later the intra afghan dialogue held in Doha have raised the prospects of durable peace in Afghanistan.
The minister said that the Afghan leadership should seize this historic opportunity and undertake serious efforts to take the Afghan peace process to a logical conclusion.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi further said that we will also have to keep an eye on the spoilers who do not want peace and stability in the region.
The foreign minister said that the International Community will have to come forward for the reconstruction and economic stability of Afghanistan.
Moreover, he said that Pakistan desires the dignified return of millions of Afghan refugees to their homeland.
The minister said that Pakistan respects the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Afghanistan, and wants to develop strong economic cooperation with the neighboring Country.
Earlier in the morning, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah along with a high-level delegation reached Islamabad for a three-day visit.
During his visit, the visiting dignitary will also meet President Dr. Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan, Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani, Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser, and other dignitaries.
Dr. Abdullah Abdullah will also deliver a key-note address at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad and have interaction with the media.