Doha accord to end decades of war, suffering of Afghan people: PM Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the Doha accord signed between the United States and the Taliban is the start of a peace and reconciliation process to end decades of war and suffering of the Afghan people. Responding to the historic peace deal on Twitter on Saturday, he said: “We welcome the Doha accord signed between US and the Taliban. This is the start of a peace and reconciliation process to end decades of war and suffering of the Afghan people. I have always maintained that a political solution, no matter how complex, is the only meaningful path to peace. https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1233764880668295168?s=20 “Now all stakeholders have to ensure that spoilers are kept at bay. My prayers for peace for the Afghan people who have suffered for decades of bloodshed. Pakistan is committed to playing its role in ensuring the agreement holds and succeeds in bringing peace to Afghanistan.” Earlier on Saturday, the US and Taliban signed a historic deal to allow a US troop reduction and a permanent ceasefire. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad and Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar signed the pact. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Qatari Emir, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his counterparts from seven countries and representatives from fifty countries. Speaking on the occasion, Taliban delegation leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar expressed full commitment to the agreement from his side. “As a political force we want to maintain positive relations with all neighbours, regional countries and international community who played a key role in this agreement.” Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar said: “We want unity and prosperity of our country and for this reason, I call upon all factions to make this deal working.” He said that he especially thanked Pakistan for its assistance and support in making the deal a success. “We appreciate the role of China, Russia, Iran, Uzbekistan, Norway, Indonesia and other countries in supporting the peace process.” US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in his address, said that the agreement is a true test of the effort to give peace a chance. “It will ensure that Afghanistan never becomes a base of terrorists again. Reduction in violence is not perfect, but at least Taliban demonstrated that when they have the will to be peaceful, they can be.” Appreciating the US Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad, he said that he played a critical role in making the negotiations successful. He urged Taliban to sit with the Afghan government to determine the course for future of Afghanistan.