Afghan president invites senior Pashtun leaders for talks

Delegation including Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Aftab Sherpao & ANP chief Asfandyar Wali will travel to Kabul on Thursday

Senior Pakistani leaders had first visited Kabul in January, 2015. PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD:
Senior Pashtun political and tribal leaders will travel to Afghanistan on Thursday on the invitation of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to “get their opinion for improvement in bilateral relations and regional peace,” Afrasiab Khattak said on Wednesday.

Khattak, a senior leader of Awami National Party (ANP), who is part of the delegation, told The Express Tribune discussions in Kabul would be part of the interaction between Afghan leaders and the Pashtun leaders of Pakistan.

Other members of the delegation include Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Qaumi Watan Party leader Aftab Sherpao and ANP chief Asfandyar Wali, among others.

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The Afghan president had invited party leaders to Kabul during his visit to Pakistan last November.

Senior Pakistani leaders had first visited Kabul in January, and Thursday’s visit would be the second trip as part of the consultation process.

“Afghan leaders believe feedback of the Pakistani Pashtun leaders and tribal elders would help in maintaining peace,” Khattak said.

Afghan government has also invited Jamaat-e-Islami chief Siraj ul Haq, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman.
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