Intra-Afghan dialogue is vital component of reconciliation process: FM

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that intra-Afghan dialogue is a vital component of the reconciliation process on Thursday. Khalilzad, who arrived in Islamabad today after wrapping up a five-day trip to Afghanistan, held meetings in the capital with the foreign secretary and the foreign minister. During his meeting with Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Ambassador Khalilzad briefed the Foreign Minister on the outcome of Doha talks and his recent engagements in the region. He also shared updates on his meetings in Afghanistan and the dynamics of the Intra-Afghan dialogue.

Pakistan wants peace, stability in Afghanistan

While talking to Special Representative of US Secretary of State for Afghanistan Reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, the foreign minister said that Pakistan wishes well for the peace and stability in Afghanistan, which will directly benefit Pakistan’s own vision for economic and human development. The Foreign Minister, while appreciating his efforts, reiterated Pakistan's commitment to the Afghan peace process. He said that intra-Afghan dialogue is a vital component of the reconciliation process. Earlier, Ambassador Khalilzad had delegation level talks with Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua. Ambassador Khalilzad was accompanied by an interagency delegation, while Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua was assisted by senior officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence. The Foreign Secretary also briefed him about telephonic conversation between Foreign Minister Qureshi and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. She informed about their mutual interest in further progress on Afghanistan peace efforts and that they agreed to remain engaged to pursue the reconciliation process. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP947_RZkWE It is pertinent to mention here that from Doha to Moscow, the Taliban have been meeting an array of envoys with competing interests in Afghanistan, from the US ─ eager to withdraw its troops after a 17-year war ─ to politicians in Kabul jostling for power. The Taliban have, however, refused to hold talks Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's US-backed administration, accusing it of being a puppet regime. The Afghan government has denied the allegations. US Secretary of State's Special Representative for Afghan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad was scheduled to visit Qatar, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Jordan, London and Brussels before returning to Washington on April 10. https://twitter.com/PTIofficial/status/1114056771163840514