Pakistan to host crucial Afghan peace talks by March

QCG members invite Taliban, other groups to participate through their authorised representatives, says joint statement

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will host direct talks between the government in Kabul and Afghan Taliban, including other insurgent groups, by the first week of March, said a joint statement issued at the conclusion of the fourth meeting of the Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) in Kabul on Tuesday.

"The QCG member states invite Taliban and other groups to participate through their authorised representatives in the first round of direct peace talks with the Afghan government," added the statement available with The Express Tribune. 

The communique said, "Pakistan has graciously offered to host this round of talks in Islamabad."

Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani (R) shakes hands with Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry (L) prior to the start of the fourth round of four-way peace talks at the presidential palace in Kabul on February 23, 2016. PHOTO: AFP



The delegations were led by Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai, Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing and US Charge d’Affaires David Lindwall.

"The QCG members welcomed the statement by Ashraf Ghani on February 15 which underlined the Afghan government's commitment for peace and reconciliation with Taliban groups and Hezb-e-Islami," the statement read.



The member states also appreciated the decision by Afghanistan and Pakistan to constitute a bilateral joint working group to work with the honourable ulemas of Afghanistan and Pakistan for their support to the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process.

At a meeting in Islamabad last month, officials from the four countries had said face-to-face talks between the Western-backed government in Kabul and the Taliban should begin by the end of February.