Intra-Afghan negotiations is fruit of Pakistan, Afghanistan's combined efforts: Qureshi

Qureshi reaffirms Pakistan's support for Afghans

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Saturday said the commencement of the intra-Afghan negotiations is the fruit of Pakistan and Afghanistan's combined efforts.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the intra-Afghan negotiations in Doha today, the foreign minister said Pakistan has long maintained that there was no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan, adding that a political solution was the only way forward.

"We are gratified that our perspective is now widely shared across the international community. We are also gratified that we have fulfilled our part of the responsibility," Qureshi said.

He maintained that Afghan leaders should seize this historic opportunity and work together constructively to secure an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement, adding that there may be many factors that will pose challenges against peace between the Taliban and Afghanistan government.

Qureshi reaffirmed Pakistan's support with the Afghans as they continue to lead the way for peace, security and development.

"Pakistan will always support a peaceful, stable, united, democratic, prosperous and sovereign Afghanistan, at peace with itself and its neighbours."

Qureshi urged the international community to support the Afghan-led peace process. He said the world should ensure that Afghanistan never experiences the violent days of the past.

He called on the international community to deepen economic engagement with Afghanistan for its reconstruction and economic development, ensuring a well-resourced, time-bound return of Afghan refugees.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A day earlier, Pakistan welcomed the commencement of the much-awaited intra-Afghan dialogue as Prime Minister Imran Khan urged all sides to ‘seize the historic opportunity’ in order to put an end to the long military conflict.

“I warmly welcome the announcement regarding the commencement of Intra-Afghan Negotiations on 12 September 2020. Finally, our combined efforts have brought forth the day that the Afghan people have been yearning for,” the prime minister said.

He noted that for more than 40 years, the Afghans have suffered from continued conflict and bloodshed. Pakistan has endured the fall-out that was reflected in incidence of terrorism, loss of precious lives, and huge economic cost.

“I have underlined for a long time that there is no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan and that the only way forward is a negotiated political settlement,” he added.

Through relentless efforts, the prime minister noted Pakistan had played a pivotal role in facilitating the Afghan peace process to this juncture. “We feel deeply gratified today as we have fulfilled our part of the responsibility.”

The prime minister urged all stakeholders in Afghanistan to take full advantage of the opportunity to put an end to the war in Afghanistan.