Pre-trilateral talks: ‘Islamabad not seeking privileges’

Talks to focus on regional security, the fight against terrorism and peace talks with Taliban: reports.

KABUL:

Pakistan is not seeking any privileges from the United States after throwing its weight behind peace talks between Kabul and the Afghan Taliban, Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir said on Tuesday.

Bashir’s comments  – which were carried by Afghan television station TOLOnews – made the comments ahead of a trilateral dialogue being attended by senior officials of Pakistan, Afghanistan and the United States.

“[Speculation that] we are trying to seek some privileges through this process is perhaps a little misplaced,” the TV station quoted the foreign secretary as saying.

Senior officials in Kabul urged Islamabad to take new steps in the fight against terrorism. Regional security and economy, transition of security and as well as the government peace initiative with the Taliban were the key topics to be discussed in the trilateral talks, according to the report.

The report quoted Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Jawed Ludin as saying: “We need both Pakistan and the US to cooperate in the peace process with us. And the US has already declared its role in the process. We request the Pakistan government to take steps that haven’t been taken before.”

According to the report, US Deputy Ambassador to Afghanistan Anthony Wayne said: “We work together for a better future of Afghanistan, for Pakistan and the region. We are going to work to support the advancement in reconciliation, regional economic reintegration and the other efforts and steps that are needed to build a prosperous and peaceful future for this region.”

Earlier, after arriving in the Afghan capital, the foreign secretary met with President Hamid Karzai. In the meeting, Karzai stressed that close collaboration between Pakistan and Afghanistan is essential for regional peace and development.

Bashir underscored Pakistan’s commitment to facilitate an “Afghan-led and Afghan-owned” process for reconciliation and peace.

On behalf of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, the foreign secretary invited President Karzai to visit Pakistan. Karzai accepted the invitation.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 25^th, 2011.