ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Friday reiterated that the intra-Afghan dialogue is a key component of the Afghan reconciliation process.
He was talking to US Secretary of State’s Special Representative for Afghan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad at the Foreign Office here.
Khalilzad was scheduled to visit Qatar, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Jordan, London and Brussels before returning to Washington on April 10.
The US special envoy, who arrived in Islamabad on Friday 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 Qureshi, Khalilzad shared updates on his meetings in Afghanistan and the dynamics of the intra-Afghan dialogue, the FO statement said.
Foreign Minister Qureshi, while appreciating Khalilzad’s efforts, stated that intra-Afghan dialogue is a vital component of the reconciliation process. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to the peace process, the press release added.
Khalilzad, along with an inter-agency delegation, also held delegation-level talks with Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua. Janjua was assisted by senior officials from the Foreign Affairs and Defence ministries. During the talks, important affairs, including progress made in the Afghan reconciliation process, were discussed.
The foreign secretary also briefed Khalilzad on a telephone conversation between Qureshi and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Both sides agreed to remain engaged to pursue the reconciliation process, the FO stated.
Khalilzad also held a meeting with Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi and discussed regional security situation and the ongoing Afghan peace talks, an Inter-Services Public Relations press release said. The US envoy also appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to establish peace in Afghanistan.
The US special envoy has repeatedly stressed the need for timely and credible presidential elections in Afghanistan.
He said the US does not expect the elections to be delayed, which is set to be held on 28th of September this year.
Khalilzad said the Taliban and the Afghan government may not reach peace accord before presidential elections. He said it will be better if an agreement is sealed with the Taliban before the elections.
