Karzai’s comments came at a time when his security officials are involved in harsh criticism of Pakistan, accusing the country for supporting the Haqqani Nework. Kabul blames the network for a series of recent attacks in Afghanistan, including last week’s deadly car bomb attack in Paktika province.
“Pakistan can particularly play an important role in the restoration of peace in Afghanistan. Our peace talks are in fact, with Pakistan and not with the Afghan Taliban,” Karzai told the visiting Chinese special envoy for Afghanistan, Sun Yuxi.
Sun arrived in Kabul yesterday, days after Beijing nominated him as special envoy to the war-torn country.
“Foreign factors are involved in the Afghan peace process and that is why the cooperation of Pakistan and the United States is very important,” Karzai said, according to a statement posted on the presidential website.
He praised Chinese cooperation and investment in Afghanistan, and hoped that China can play an important role in the Afghan peace process as the country is a friend of Afghanistan and enjoys good relations with Pakistan.
Karzai has welcomed the appointment of Chinese special envoy for Afghanistan, and described China as a strong friend and an important neighbouring country.
Both sides discussed China’s investment in Afghanistan and the upcoming “Heart of Asia” conference that will be held in China. President Karzai said that the new Afghan president will attend the conference.
The Chinese envoy assured President Karzai that China will support the Afghan-led peace process and that his country wants a stable and secure Afghanistan.
“We are hopeful that instead of weapons, Afghanistan will see economic development,” the statement from Karzai’s palace quoted Sun Yuxi as saying. He said Afghanistan is very important neighbouring country for China.
“China is interested to boost its role in Afghanistan,” the special envoy stated.
The Chinese envoy also met the Afghan deputy foreign minister Irshad Ahmadi and the Afghan side shared information about the Afghan presidential elections, transfer of security to the Afghan forces and the peace process.
Ahmadi lauded the role of China in stability of Afghanistan, economic cooperation and fight against terrorism and extremism.
COMMENTS (22)
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Our defeat is shown by our frustration...the way we comment.
@Afghan Maihan: Totally agree with you.
@Pity: No, that is exactly opposite of what you said. Read newspaper and last 20 year history please. Don't lie in a bright day.
@Khan: Your army is proxy of US. Afghan Army is Army of Afghan, Stop this Non-sense.
@A-No.1: Afghanistan is a sovereign nation, Pakistan can not dictate what relation should they have with other nations. Afghan refugees are not cattles. Most refugees,specially under 35 yrs of age, were born in Pakistan, hence technically they are Pakistanis. Its the duty of Pakistan Customs and other govt. agencies to collect transit fees and stop smuggling. Afghan refugees are also bound by Pakistani laws, acting against law breakers is the job of the pakistani govt.
@Shuaib Bhat: I don't think anyone in Pakistan or anywhere in the world takes anything or any comment from Afghanistan seriously. Kabul just takes dictation from India and this has been the reality since 1947. Until Afghanistan stops being an Indian puppet state, they will always be unstable and miserable.
I hope our differences are resolved but Afghanistan must stop blaming Pakistan for everything.
The truth is that Afghanistan, Pakistan and the U.S. have been affected by terrorism. We’ve lost thousands of brave soldiers in our shared quest for peace. We continue to face challenges in regards to our peace objectives in the region, and at the end of the day, we cannot over look the importance regional partners working together for the betterment of the region. It is important to keep in mind that our common enemies see our nations see as a common threat to their evil agenda, and would love to see us remain trapped in our differences. We cannot let the advantage shift in their favor, and it is simply important for us to let our common objectives prevail over any differences. We reiterate what Rear Admiral John Kirby, Defense Department Press Secretary, said recently: “We've been very clear for many years now that we share common threats with the Pakistanis, that terrorism there is a regional issue, it's not just an Afghan issue or a Pakistan issue. It's the whole region, and we remain committed to having as cooperative and as constructive a relationship with Pakistan as possible.”
Ali Khan Digital Engagement Team, USCENTCOM
The reality is that both US & Pakistan can bring peace to Afghanistan if they want to. It hurts us a bit when he is telling to Chinese as it is. As far as Afghan relation to India are concerned even Taliban will be happy to maintain the present level of relationship with India. They are not our colony to cut relationship with India because of us.
*In Reality We Pakistanis are fighting with Afghanistan and US not TTP. Consider it Mr Karzai. *
They know in their hearts and sometimes in particular situations they speak it out that Pakistan is the most important foreign force for Afghanistan. Yet again they will not stop restricting the role of Pakistan. This is clearly due to the fact that they do not need a stable Afghanistan as it will not only decrease corruption in Afghanistan but will also benefit Pakistan, which is not palatable for "a small hearted eastern neighbor" of Pakistan.
Why is he still in charge ? What happened to the elections held in May ?
Then there will be peace
And our talks are not with Kabul, they are with the Indian backed Northern Alliance.
Afghan Taliban (a proxy for Pakistan) is fighting Afghan Army (a proxy for US), so what is the role of Mr. Karzai? only to siphon off money to offshore accounts?
Karzai? who?
Karzai makes sense for a change. Effectively Afghanistan is talking to Pakistan through a via media.
Thankless people.
On one side, this guys seeks Pakistan's cooperation to restore peace in Afghanistan while on the other side, he blames Pakistan for terrorists attacks in Afghanistan. It is high time he set his priorities right and urge Afghan security forces to bring their house in order.
It is funny that Afghanistan, a country which has provided shelter to militants, is criticizing Pakistan when Pakistan has started operation against Afghan militants present in Pakistani territories.
This Man has some serious psychological problems which were left un addressed in his childhood