Pakistan welcomes signing of landmark peace deal between US, Taliban

PM Imran cautions stakeholders 'to ensure that spoilers are kept at bay'

KARACHI: Prime Minister Imran Khan has welcomed the signing of historic peace agreement between the United States and Afghan Taliban, while cautioning all stakeholders to not let the "spoilers" sabotage the peace efforts.

The US signed a landmark deal with the Taliban on Saturday, laying out a timetable for a full troop withdrawal from Afghanistan within 14 months as it seeks an exit from its longest-ever war.

The agreement is expected to lead to a dialogue between the Taliban and the Kabul government that, if successful, could ultimately see an end to the grinding 18-year conflict.

“This is the start of a peace and reconciliation process to end decades of war and suffering of the Afghan people. I have always maintained that a political solution, no matter how complex, is the only meaningful path to peace,” said the premier in a tweet minutes after the agreement was signed in Doha.

We welcome the Doha Accord signed between US & the Taliban.This is the start of a peace & reconciliation process to end decades of war & suffering of the Afghan people. I have always maintained that a pol solution, no matter how complex, is the only meaningful path to peace.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) February 29, 2020

In a follow up tweet, he also cautioned all stakeholders including the Afghan government, Taliban, US and others “to ensure that spoilers are kept at bay”.

“My prayers for peace for the Afghan people who have suffered for decades of bloodshed. Pakistan is committed to playing its role in ensuring the agreement holds and succeeds in bringing peace to Afghanistan,” wrote the premier.

Now all stakeholders have to ensure that spoilers are kept at bay. My prayers for peace for the Afghan people who have suffered 4 decades of bloodshed. Pakistan is committed to playing its role in ensuring the agreement holds & succeeds in bringing peace to Afghanistan.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) February 29, 2020

The Foreign Office in an official statement also welcomed the signing of landmark peace agreement between US and Taliban that would see the gradual withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi attended the deal signing ceremony on the invitation of Qatar in Doha and “welcomed the signing of the Peace Agreement and said that it carried immense importance -- both in symbolism and substance -- for Afghanistan, the region and beyond," according to the FO statement.

He said the peace agreement reflected a significant step forward by the US and the Taliban in advancing the ultimate aim of peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.

"He also appreciated personal contribution of Amir of Qatar to this process."

FM Qureshi noted that intra-Afghan negotiations would be the next logical step after today’s historic development and hoped that the "Afghan parties would now seize this historic opportunity and workout a comprehensive and inclusive political settlement for durable peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region".

He also underlined the need for the international community to recognise that Afghanistan will require support to commence reconstruction and rehabilitation phase, read the communique.

Redrawing the international community’s attention to Afghan refugees in Pakistan, the foreign minister underscored the need to assist the Afghan government in creating an enabling environment for the return of the refugees to their homeland with dignity and honour.

Qureshi reiterated that "Pakistan will continue its policy of supporting the Afghan people in their efforts to achieve lasting peace, stability and development in Afghanistan".

"Today’s ceremony has, once again, vindicated Pakistan’s long-held stance that there is no military solution of the Afghan conflict. Prime Minister Imran Khan has consistently underlined that a political settlement is the only way forward," the foreign minister was quoted as saying.