- Adviser says no military solution but political settlement to end conflict; Ambassador Zakhilwal calls on PM’s Special Assistant Fatemi in Islamabad
Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Monday stressed a close cooperation and meaningful engagement between Pakistan and Afghanistan in areas of security, counter-terrorism and border management for preventing cross-border movement of terrorist groups.
Talking to a 14-member delegation of the Afghan media currently visiting Pakistan, he said that terrorism was a common enemy and reiterated Pakistan’s desire for lasting peace in Afghanistan. He said that the relations between the two brotherly countries were rooted in common history, religion, culture and people-to-people ties.
Sartaj said that like their past, Pakistan and Afghanistan also shared their destiny. He said that there was no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan and the focus should be on political settlement through an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace process.
He highlighted serious efforts made by Pakistan for peace talks between the Afghan government and Taliban, saying cooperation between the two countries was important for promoting peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. The members of the Afghan media delegation had a frank and candid conversation on the efforts for peace and stability in Afghanistan and strengthening of bilateral engagement.
The delegation is undertaking a visit to Pakistan from April 2 to 8, for interaction with the government, parliamentary and civil society institutions.
FATEMI-ZAKHILWAL MEETING: In a meeting with Afghan Ambassador Omer Zakhilwal, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi also said that politically negotiated settlement was the best solution to the Afghan conflict. He also emphasised that terrorism was a common threat that required cooperation between the two countries for its elimination.
Recalling the recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan carried by Jamaat-ul-Ahrar and Tehreek-e-Taliban from the Afghan soil, he stressed the need for effective border management for preventing cross-border movement of terrorists. Ambassador Zakhilwal thanked the special assistant for constructive exchanges while calling the need for a meaningful institutional engagement between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
