US-Taliban deal to pave way for next step of intra-Afghan negotiations: FO

Islamabad welcomes announcement of signing of agreement on Feb 29

KARACHI: Welcoming the announcement regarding the US-Taliban peace deal on February 29, Islamabad has expressed hope that the move would pave the way for the next step of intra-Afghan negotiations.

The Afghan Taliban and the United States will sign the much-awaited peace agreement in the presence of international observers on February 29, the two sides announced on Friday ending a media guessing game about the outcome of protracted negotiations between the two sides.

“We hope the Afghan parties would now seize this historic opportunity and work out a comprehensive and inclusive political settlement for durable peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region,” Foreign Office spokesperson Aisha Farooqui said in a statement.

Pakistan has consistently supported direct negotiations between the US and Taliban. “From the outset, Pakistan has facilitated this process and contributed to its progress thus far. We look forward to the signing of the agreement on 29th February, 2020,” she maintained.

It’s official: US, Taliban to sign peace accord on February 29

In today’s statement, Pakistan reaffirmed its support for a peaceful, stable, united, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan, at peace with itself and with its neighbours.

“We are also looking forward to the international community playing its part in reinforcing the efforts for the establishment of sustainable peace in Afghanistan and helping to create conditions inside Afghanistan to enable the return of Afghan refugees from Pakistan to their homeland with dignity and honour.”

If the deal comes through, it would end the 18-year-long war in Afghanistan in which tens of thousands of people have died. It has arguably been dubbed the longest, deadliest and costliest war in US history.

The US and the Taliban have been tantalisingly close to a deal before, only to see President Donald Trump nix it in September at the 11th hour amid continued violence in Afghanistan.