Pakistan stands by Afghan people’s decisions about their future: PM

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said that Pakistan will fully support any decisions that the Afghanistan people will take about their future to ensure peace and stability in the war-torn country.

The premier expressed these views while having a telephonic conversation with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, the Foreign Office said in a statement.

The two leaders exchanged views on Afghan peace process and strengthening of Pakistan-Afghanistan bilateral engagement.

The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s steadfast support to the Afghan peace process and noted the positive results of these efforts culminating in US-Taliban Peace Agreement and the commencement of intra-Afghan negotiations. He also appreciated the steps taken by relevant sides to enable the start of peace talks in Doha.

Imran Khan stressed on the importance of all Afghan parties working for reduction in violence leading to ceasefire.

The prime minister further underscored that all Afghan stakeholders must seize this historic opportunity and work together to secure an inclusive and comprehensive political agreement through the Afghan-led and Afghan-owed process.

He emphasised that Pakistan will fully support the decisions that the Afghan people will take about their future.

On the bilateral plane, the prime minister underlined the importance Pakistan attaches to constructive engagement with Afghanistan and to peace, stability and prosperity of the Afghan people.

The premier noted that the Chairman of Afghan High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR), Dr Abdullah Abdullah, will be visiting Islamabad next week.

He also thanked President Ashraf Ghani for the invitation extended to him to visit Afghanistan and conveyed that he will undertake the visit at the earliest opportunity.