Adviser to PM on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and British Foreign Secretary William Hague shake hands after their joint news conference. PHOTO: ONLINE
Pakistan and the United Kingdom have expressed hope that the deadlock in the Afghan peace process is temporary and that the Qatar initiative would resume soon to end the 12-year-old conflict in Afghanistan.
Appearing at a joint news conference with British Foreign Secretary William Hague on Wednesday, Prime Minister’s Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz reiterated that Pakistan and the UK were committed to peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Hague travelled to Islamabad amid an ongoing impasse over the Qatar process after the Afghan Taliban shut down their ‘political office’ in the Qatari capital of Doha. The Taliban representatives suspended talks with Washington when Qatar, under pressure from Kabul, disallowed them from hoisting the flag of the ‘Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’ atop their office.
During formal talks, Hague and Aziz discussed how to bring the Afghan Taliban back to the negotiating table.
“We hope the deadlock is temporary and not permanent.
We hope some kind of discussions will take place soon between the Taliban and the United States,” Aziz said when asked to comment about the prospects of the Qatar process.
Aziz also said that he would travel to Kabul on Saturday, adding that he would review the progress in the Afghan reconciliation process during his talks with Afghan authorities. Sources said his trip is expected to pave the way for the visit of Afghan President Hamid Karzai to Pakistan.
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been tense over the past few months due to Kabul’s apprehensions that Islamabad is still playing a ‘double game’.
Without directly referring to the allegations of Afghan officials, Hague acknowledged that Pakistan was playing a ‘positive’ role in bringing peace and stability in Afghanistan. “We discussed the Qatar process. And I welcome the support extended by Pakistan,” he added.
Altaf Hussain controversy
At the joint news conference Hague attempted to distance himself from the ongoing investigations against Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain. He insisted that the London Metropolitan Police was fiercely independent and the British government had nothing to do with its affairs.
Bilateral ties
The two sides also discussed bilateral relations, including a possible increase in trade volume.
Sartaj Aziz said Pakistan and the UK plan to raise their bilateral trade from $2.9 billion to $5 billion over the next three years. He thanked Britain for supporting Pakistan’s bid to gain access to European markets.
To another question, Hague dispelled the impression that the proposed immigration laws being enacted by the UK were meant for all Pakistanis. He made it clear that the immigration bond, which has not yet been approved, would only deal with ‘high-risk individuals’.
Meeting with interior minister
Hague also met Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan to discuss progress on the Counter-Terrorism Associated Prosecutorial Reform Initiative and institutional support for the security apparatus.
Chaudhry Nisar asked for cooperation from the British government in improving the immigration system, checking on illegal immigrants and making Islamabad a model city. The British foreign secretary assured the minister of all possible assistance on controlling the issues faced by Pakistan, including terrorism, control of narcotics and institutional support for security agencies.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 18th, 2013.
COMMENTS (7)
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Any sane person would distance himself from commenting on the issue because the investigations are in their intial stages. The charges have ne been pressed yet, so what is there to comment about. It is just our Pakistani media which is so prone to MQM bashing that they are exploring the case with religious fervor. I wonder if this approach can be considered journalism Some in the media seem to be thriving on the eventuality that they are so keen to speculate. Most biased and prejudiced form of reporting
Afghan peace process is seems to be progrssing in a right direction . The role of Pakistan is very crucial . The withdrawl of streategic assets of Pakistan from Afghanistan is also progresssing in right direction . The solution of the conflict in Afghanistan will emerge gradually with the gradual elemination of terrorists in Pakistan . Only the total elemination of such elements will ensure an enduring peace there in Afghanistan . But the total elemination is difficult to achieve in the given circumstance when Pakistan needs them to settle Kashmir and Baluchistan problems . Doha can find a way to keep peace in Afghanistan for the time being but the prevalence of enduring peace in the region will much depend on future drone actions for total eradication as an important component of the '' Carrot- stick '' policy of thouse who are determind and ready to pay any cost to shape the destiny of mankind .
Is it true that the FO is handing over a copy of the leaked Abbottabad Commission Report? ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Proof that media is free and kicking in Pakistan.As was OBL.
So did Mr Hague meet Gen Kayani during his trip? +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ If not he wasted the British Tax Payers money!.
Sartaz Aziz suggested to Afghanistan to divide the country into Taliban and non Taliban territories +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ That should effectively decide the outcome of his Kabul trip.
If William Hague is right about AH issue the Ch Nisar is bluffing all of us. I knew he would give this answer. People in Pakistan believe its easy to get conviction without proving motive. If BBC news programme is reference had it not been a legal challenge on way the report was structured they would have aired it. Don't believe all you hear on Pak Channels.