Sartaj Aziz. PHOTO: FILE
Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said on Sunday Pakistan is ready to facilitate Afghan Taliban peace talks if Kabul desires.
"Pakistan is ready to facilitate peace talks if the Afghan government desires," he said.
While attending a high-level event on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Aziz said the peace and prosperity of Afghanistan was essential for Pakistan's own security, Radio Pakistan reported.
"Pakistan's efforts to persuade Afghan Taliban to participate in peace talks should not be wrongly interpreted," Aziz added.
The premier’s top aide reiterated Pakistan's solidarity with Afghan people and expressed hope that the Afghan peace process would resumed soon, as this as this was an important pre-requisite for peace and stability in the country.
Read: Sartaj Aziz arrives in Kabul to push for revival of peace talks
Earlier this month, Aziz visited Kabul to push for a restart of Afghan peace negotiations, Pakistan Embassy officials told The Express Tribune.
Read: Afghan conflict: Taliban say no talks till ‘foreign occupation’ ends
Meanwhile, in his first Eid message after being appointed as chief of the Afghan Taliban, Mullah Akhtar Mansoor said that there could not be any dialogue as long as Afghanistan remains “under occupation” adding that “foreign pressure” for negotiations will also fail, slighting fledgling peace talks.
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