President Hamid Karzai speaks with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the Presidential Palace in Kabul. PHOTO: AFP
KABUL/ ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday renewed a pledge to bolster Afghan peace and reconciliation efforts with a reminder to his hosts that a solution could be found only through an ‘inclusive political settlement’.
“The key to sustainable peace in Afghanistan in 2014 and beyond is an inclusive political settlement,” he told a joint news conference in Kabul after talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
During his one-day visit Premier Nawaz also met High Peace Council members, cabinet ministers and diplomats.
“I...urge all the stakeholders to seize this moment and join hands to support peace efforts,” he told reporters. “It is imperative to reverse the destructive cycle of conflict.”
The prime minister said Pakistan would continue to extend all possible facilitation for the Afghan peace process.
“This is the time to take decisive steps for moving forward the dialogue process and bringing it to a successful conclusion,” he said.
Premier Nawaz repeated that his government had released former Taliban commander Mullah Baradar, who is seen by Afghanistan as important to bringing the faction to the negotiating table.
“Anybody who is sent by the [Afghan] president to Pakistan to talk to Mullah Baradar... we will make sure that such meetings would take place,” he said.
Following their meeting, President Karzai said “there is no doubt that since [Nawaz Sharif] has taken office, cooperation and relations between [Pakistan and Afghanistan] has expanded.” “Today we talked on how to proceed with the peace process, the American role in the peace process, and on how America, Pakistan and Afghanistan can jointly cooperate,” he added, giving no further details.
Reconstruction assistance increased
According to a statement released by the Foreign Office, Premier Nawaz announced he would enhance Pakistan’s commitment of assistance for reconstruction and socio-economic development in Afghanistan from $385 million to $500 million “as a gesture of solidarity with the brotherly Afghan people.”
It stated that the two leaders also agreed to enhance connectivity between Pakistan and Afghanistan, including through a motorway between Peshawar and Kabul and rail links between Peshawar and Jalalabad, and Chaman and Spin Boldak.
Both sides also expressed their commitment to accelerating the realisation of trans-regional projects, including CASA-1000 and TAPI gas pipeline.
Peace council welcomes Nawaz’s visit
Prime Minister Nawaz also met members of the Afghan High Peace Council, led by its chairman Salahuddin Rabbani, and discussed Islamabad’s role in the peace process in Afghanistan on Saturday.
A senior member of the government-back council said the premier’s visit gave a boost to the elusive peace process.
“We consider the visit of the Pakistani Prime Minister very fruitful,” senior council member Abdul Hakim Mujahid told The Express Tribune via telephone. “President Karzai’s team is happy with the role Prime Minister Nawaz has played in the peace process and we have attached high hopes to Pakistan,” he added.
Mujahid, who has served as the Taliban regime’s ambassador to Pakistan and its envoy in New York, said the premier had promised Karzai that his government would facilitate more meetings between the peace council and Mullah Baradar. He added the council would now hold talks with the former Taliban leader following instructions from the president. A peace council delegation met Baradar in Karachi 10 days ago.
Baradar was sedated, claims Afghan official
According to one Afghan official, Baradar appeared to have been sedated and unable to talk during his meeting with representatives of the council.
“The Afghan High Peace Council delegation did meet with Mullah Baradar, but in practical terms they discussed nothing because he was drugged and was unable to talk,” the senior Afghan government official said.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 1st, 2013.
COMMENTS (4)
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In case, any concerned quarter or stake holder want to peace in the region it would joined hands with the forcese struggling for freedom with aggressive elements occupied the land locked Afghanistan for more than a decade. Hundred and hundred of thousand Afghan people has been targeted by by drones and aire power.
As for as recall from Afghanistan is concerned it must be totall withdrawal otherwise vision of peace in the region will remained impossible.
National consensus is essential. No single political can control over the present situation.institutions and some suspected groups has been unleashed.There is no peace in the country.Insurgents warmely operating everyehere.
Balochistan is moving toward uupheal.Power crisis has miserablly effected the poor people every day the roads are decorated with protest.Law and order situation deteriiorating with passing of time.
price hike made the life of citizen miserable.rift with a single superpower is widening that is also not favourable in interests of the country.In such ugly situation national consensus has become indispensable.We should forget all the differences and seek a comprehensive formula and save country from reaching the flashpoint.Please come and assembled on the one point.
Till now, ground supply routs are closed,demonstration is going on by the PTI and Jammat-e Islami and other political groups they have exposed their firm stance,Untill unless drones are not stopped supply routs remained closed. On the other side, Government is not in favoure of closing the way being used for supply lines, in this way a sensitive situation has been created between center and provice. In case, the situation remained stand for more time there are chances more unrest and clash which approache to the point of no return. It is also fact thet government has miserably failed to sunstanciate its promises made during the election campaign. Time is running out,it dire need of the time to call second APC for unaimous stand and consensus.
It is not understandable,Taliban has a different stance regarding Karzai,describehim as a American stooge.They have refused to sit across the table with Karzai and their refusal is still stand. On the other hand,Pakistani primeir has lost his confidence due to drone attacks which was committed after very short span of time his visit claimed Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud.As for as new chief is concerned,he has already refused to sit on the negotiating table. In fact,the matter has been complicated, what should we do in such circumstances that is question mark of the day. Taliban looks at Moulana Fazal and Imran khan as dependable personalities,based on the acceptable and dependable personalities a delegation be constituted and send them with full confidence .New army chief can provide best assistance in this regard..