ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has hailed the commencement of intra-Afghan talks, stating that negotiations are the fruit of our combined efforts.
The foreign minister addressed the opening ceremony of intra-Afghan negotiations being held in Doha via video link. The long-awaited talks have commenced between the Afghan government and the Taliban.
Foreign Minister Qureshi said Pakistan has maintained that there is no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan, and a political solution is the only way forward.
“We are gratified that our perspective is now widely shared across the international community. We are also gratified that we have fulfilled our part of the responsibility,” he said.
The foreign minister said it is now for the Afghan leaders to seize this historic opportunity, work together constructively, and secure an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement. He said spoilers, from within and from outside, will pose formidable challenges and constant vigilance will be required to guard against their machinations.
Qureshi reassured that Pakistan will always be in full support and solidarity with Afghans as they continue their momentous journey on the path of peace, security and development.
He said Pakistan will always support a peaceful, stable, united, democratic, prosperous and sovereign Afghanistan, at peace with itself and with its neighbours.
He suggested a four-pronged way forward and called upon the international community to continue to support the Afghan peace process. He said the world should ensure that Afghanistan neither witnesses the violent days of the past nor becomes a space for elements who would harm others beyond its borders.
He further called for deepening and sustaining economic engagement with Afghanistan for its reconstruction and economic development and ensure a well-resourced, time-bound return of Afghan refugees to their homeland with dignity and honour.
Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq is attending the opening ceremony of Intra-Afghan Negotiations in Doha.
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