Summary Bringing Taliban to the negotiation table was not easy: Shah Mehmood Qureshi
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that as Chairman of Afghanistan Reconciliation Council, Abdullah Abdullah has most challenging job of his career. I wish him well because in his success lies my success, he said.
Addressing a conference in federal capital, Shah Mehmood Qureshi urged the need of engagement, connections and exchanging of views honestly in a candid manner. I had an extensive meeting with Abdullah Abdullah yesterday with particular focus on peace in Afghanistan, he added.
He emphasized Pakistan respects the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Afghanistan. He categorically said Pakistan has no favorites in Afghanistan and it does not want to meddle in its internal affairs.
As the intra Afghan dialogue are continuing, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan will accept the will of the people of Afghanistan. Pakistan believes that only the Afghan people can determine their future and it cannot be imposed on them. He said all sides will have to work together for a peaceful, prosperous and stable Afghanistan.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the commencement of talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban is a unique and historic opportunity for peace in Afghanistan. Reduction in violence leading to a ceasefire is a necessity for peace in the country, he added.
The Foreign Minister also emphasized the need for greater collaboration between the two countries in different fields to build a common future.
The foreign minister said that peace in Afghanistan is a prerequisite for regional stability and development; however; he warned against element conspiracy against intra-Afghan peace process. He further said that Pakistan wants honorable return of Afghan refugees to their home country.
He said that now international community is supporting and acknowledging political solution for Afghan issue. He urged leadership of Afghanistan should seize this opportunity of peace in the country.
FM Qureshi also revealed that Prime Minister Imran Khan has accepted invitation for Afghanistan visit by President Ashraf Ghani during a telephonic conversation between two leaders on September 25.
