President Ghani ‘understands’ importance of intra-Afghan negotiations: FM Qureshi

Some entities living off the war economy, says FM Qureshi

President Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan understands how critical intra-Afghan negotiations are and what is at stake for the region, said Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

The Doha deal includes a commitment to swap 5,000 Taliban prisoners held by the Afghan government in return for 1,000 captives, but Ghani said the US had no authority to negotiate such an exchange.

“I am of the view that President Ashraf Ghani understands the importance of releasing prisoners and he understands how a confidence-building measure it is,” FM Qureshi said in an interview with CNN adding that prisoners have been exchanged in the past as well.

The foreign minister said President Ghani has not rejected the release of prisoners, rather he said both sides have to discuss the issue. “Obviously we are going to talk about it. That is what the intra-Afghan negotiation is about. It is about talking about such critical issues,” he added.

“I am sure that all parties understand the commitment they have made. Prisoners have been exchanged in the past as well,” the FM said.



Qureshi also stressed that there are some entities who are "living off the war economy".

"They wanted to use Afghanistan’s soil against Pakistan and were certainly not happy with the peace deal and would like to create hiccups, and obstacles," he added.

“We overcame them in the past and hopefully in the larger interest of Afghanistan, its leadership would realise what is in their long-term interest, the people of Afghanistan want peace,” Qureshi said.

“The question is, will the Afghan leadership rise up to the occasion and live up to the expectations of the people.”

In response to a question regarding Taliban publicly renouncing al Qaeda, the foreign minister said that agreement states that they [Taliban] would not allow ‘al Qaeda or any terrorist organization to operate in Afghanistan’.

“They [Taliban] would not allow them to recruit, raise funds or train people,” the FM said. “ISIS also understands that this new arrangement would not make life easy for them. There is a consensus that their footprint should not grow.”

Qureshi further added that the peace deal would be uncomfortable for the "spoilers", however, there are many who are comfortable with the arrangement.”

“There are many who feel that it is in Afghanistan’s long-term interest. It is in region’s long term interest and it is essential for global peace and stability,” he said.