Pakistan has no favourites in Afghanistan, Aziz tells delegates

‘Pakistan’s message to all combatants is loud, clear; nobody can capture Afghanistan, and key to peace lies in talks’

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has no favourites in Afghanistan and will follow the priorities that Kabul determines for pursuing peace and reconciliation, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz told members of an unofficial Afghan delegation in Islamabad on Friday.

Welcoming the peace deal between the National Unity Government and the Hizb-e-Islami Afghanistan (Hekmatyar), Aziz said the agreement seems to have motivated and encouraged other groups to join talks.

“These groups should realise that it is a different Afghanistan that wants peace,” the adviser said.

Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz, in a meeting with Pak-Afghan delegates in Islamabad on Friday, October 21, 2016. PHOTO: TAHIR KHAN / EXPRESS

The Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Committee (PAJC) for Beyond Boundaries Phase II, a Track I.5/II dialogue series undertaken by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) in partnership with Afghan counterpart Women Peace and Security Organisation (WPSO) is aimed at fostering better understanding and cooperation between civil society members of the two neighbours, the organisers say.



The adviser said Pakistan’s message to all the combatants is loud and clear; nobody can capture Afghanistan on its own, and the key to peace lies in talks. “We desire that both the government and the Taliban sort out issues among themselves...we will support them"

Aziz also welcomed unanimity of approach on the peace process within Kabul and hoped it would encourage all parties to join the process. He, however, added that Pakistan was undertaking efforts to persuade all Taliban factions to become part of the peace process.

The adviser promised to address the PAJC’s concerns regarding the plight of Afghan refugees in Pakistan.