Pak-Afghan Track-II talks kick off from Monday

10-member delegation from Afghanistan reaches Islamabad for two-day dialogue

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Afghanistan will begin two-day talks under the Track-II initiative in Islamabad on April 29 (Monday).

The foreign ministers of the two countries, diplomats and think-tanks will participate in the dialogue.

The talks are being held at a time when the process for long-term peace in Afghanistan is under way and the US has intensified efforts to withdraw its forces from the country.

The Track-II dialogue is being held with the joint efforts of the Regional Peace Institute and the Hanns Seidel Foundation.
Challenges confronting the peace process in Afghanistan and their solutions will be discussed during the two-day talks.

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The two sides will also share ideas on the economic prosperity of

Afghanistan following the restoration of peace and other affairs related to improvement in relations.

The forum will come up with recommendations for maintaining peace and stability in Afghanistan and improving the infrastructure of the country’s institutions.

A 10-member delegation from Afghanistan led by former envoy Dr Omar Zakhilwal has reached Islamabad.

The dialogue is part of the Pakistan-Afghanistan 1.5/II initiative titled: ‘Beyond Boundaries’, which started in October 2015 as part of efforts to help improve ties between the two countries and increase people-to-people contacts.

The previous six rounds of talks have been held in Islamabad and Kabul. The next round will be held in the Afghan capital towards the end of June this year.

Unlike the conventional Track-I dialogue between states, Track-II diplomacy is a complimentary platform based on the idea that thought leaders, outside of official government meetings, can advance strategic national interests and find common ground.