RAWALPINDI: US Special Representative for Afghan Reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad and Commander Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan General Austin Scott Miller called on Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa at General Headquarters today.
According to a statement issued by Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR), matters related to mutual interest, peace and stability in the region, Pak-Afghan Border management and current developments in the Afghan peace process were discussed during the meeting.
Ambassador Mohammad Sadiq, Special Representative for Afghanistan was also present. The visiting dignitaries appreciated the positive role being played by Pakistan for the Afghan peace process, said ISPR.
Khalilzad and Miller’s visit comes in wake of ongoing peace talks between the Taliban and Afghan government in Doha. Pakistan played a pivotal role in bringing the peace process forward and its efforts were acknowledged at international forums.
A deal was struck between the United States and the Taliban in February in which it was agreed that 5,000 Taliban prisoners will be released from Afghan prisons before peace talks between the militant group and the government. The Afghan government released all the prisoners that led to the starting of peace talks.
…management and current developments in Afghan Peace Process were discussed during the meeting. Ambassador Mohammad Sadiq, Special Representative for Afghanistan was also present.
visiting dignitaries appreciated positive role being played by #Pakistan for Afghan Peace Process.— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) October 8, 2020
Later, a Loya Jirga stated that intra-Afghan peace talks should begin immediately. It said that foreign prisoners, if any, should be handed over to their respective nations after receiving credible guarantees from their governments.
The jirga also decided that the freed prisoners should not return to the battlefield while a permanent ceasefire should be imposed.
Earlier, Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani issued a decree to release the final batch of prisoners demanded by the Taliban as a condition to move to peace talks on August 10.
