Pakistan supports Afghan-led reconciliation process: FM Qureshi

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that Pakistan supports an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation process.

Addressing a news conference in Islamabad today (Sunday), FM Qureshi said that Pakistan will always play its role, but Afghanistan has its own future and they have to make decisions.

FM Qureshi said that now the question is how durable peace will be achieved, adding that it has to be seen whether the Afghan leadership agrees to sit and make a political roadmap.

FM Qureshi said, “They are the ones who have to make the decision as to what kind of Afghanistan they want,” adding that it will be a test for Afghan leadership

He questioned how much flexibility the Afghan government will show for negotiations, will it keep Afghan interests foremost or its own interests, are they ready to compromise for larger interests?

He further questioned that will Taliban cut off contacts with Al-Qaeda and others, and will the world be satisfied?

Meeting with Zalmay Khalilzad

Qureshi informed the media that he met US Special Envoy for Zalmay Khalilzad before the meeting.

He informed that Zalmay Khalilzad said that they had not seen such a reduction of violence in the past, adding that Taliban have shown that they have been successful in reducing violence across the country.

Meeting with Mike Pompeo

Qureshi said that he also met US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo after the signing and brought four points to Pompeo’s notice.

The points were deterring spoilers, optics of the next phase of intra-Afghan dialogue, addressing political uncertainties in Afghanistan, and mobilising international support for rebuilding the country.

Qureshi told Mike Pompeo, “There are spoilers both within Afghanistan and outside, you will have to keep a lookout for them and deter them. You have to identify them and put them to blame and shame. A mechanism is needed for that.”

He said that the optics for the next phase are also necessary. He also emphasised that the next phase in the dialogue process should not be delayed.

“The third point is to address political uncertainties in Afghanistan.” He added that America can play an important role in this.

Qureshi said the US should mobilise international support and resources for two things — post-conflict building in Afghanistan and the return of refugees.

The Foreign Minister further said Pakistan’s role in the Afghan peace process is being heralded and appreciated by the world community.

“The role that Pakistan has played as facilitator was being acknowledged and praised [at the ceremony]. People who used to criticise Pakistan were appreciating its role yesterday,” he added.