Karim Khalili praises Pakistan’s efforts for Afghan peace

Hizb-e-Wahdat-e-Islami, Afghanistan chief Karim Khalili has said that both Pakistan and Afghanistan can defeat Da’ish and anti-peace spoilers, as he appreciated the “positive and constructive role” of Islamabad for peace in his country.

Khalili, who is currently in Pakistan, visited the Institute of Strategic Studies. speaking on the occasion, he said that Pakistan has been making every effort to bring peace to Afghanistan. “Together, Pakistan and Afghanistan can thwart ISIS and anti-peace spoilers,” he said.

Khalili said that Pakistan has helped a lot in bringing the peace process in Afghanistan to its present stage. “There is a strong desire for peace at the national level in Afghanistan. They [Afghans] want a peace that does not cause troubles for any of its neighbours,” he added.

“Afghans expect all countries in the region to work together for peace. The Afghan Hazaras are also desperately seeking peace,” he added. “For peace in Afghanistan, we expect support from all in the region, especially from the neighbouring countries.”

However, Khalili warned that at the current stage, it would be premature to discuss an outcome of the talks. He stressed that an agreement with the Taliban would help counter ISIS and similar threats.

Khalili said that after the establishment of peace in Afghanistan, the prospectus for a pipeline between Pakistan and Central Asia through Afghanistan, the Central Asia-South Asia (CASA) 1000 project and other development projects will improve.