Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday reiterated Pakistan's commitment to remain engaged with the US and other stakeholders in facilitating the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan. The prime minister stated this while talking to US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, who paid a courtesy call on him before heading to Doha for a crucial round of talks with the Taliban.
Recalling his recent interaction with President Donald Trump in Washington, the Prime Minister emphasised that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan is in the interest of Pakistan as well as the broader region. "The prime minister also expressed satisfaction over the evolving international consensus and interest in fully supporting efforts to achieve long-term peace and stability in Afghanistan," the media office of the PM House said.
It stated that the prime minister underscored the need for inclusive intra-Afghan negotiations to evolve a road map for future of Afghanistan. In the context of his recent visit to the United States, the Prime Minister underlined the importance that Pakistan attaches to a broad-based and enduring relationship between the two countries. "The prime minister stressed that the opportunities for an expanded bilateral economic relationship must be optimally utilised," it further stated.
Earlier, Ambassador Khalilzad held talks with Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi at the Foreign Office. According to a statement of the Foreign Office, issues of mutual interests including the progress in Afghan peace process and the security situation of the region came under discussion during the meeting. While speaking to the top US envoy, Qureshi reassured Pakistan's continued facilitatory role in the Afghan peace process as a shared responsibility, emphasising that the intra-Afghan dialogue will prove to be a 'milestone' for durable peace and prosperity in the war-torn Afghanistan.
"Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad apprised the foreign minister of the progress achieved during the seventh round of dialogue between the US and Taliban held in Doha," the Foreign Office stated, adding that Khalizad also informed the foreign minister about his discussions with Afghan leadership during his recent visit to Afghanistan.
The foreign minister welcomed the progress achieved in the talks and the Intra-Afghan Peace Conference in Doha in which all participants agreed upon a basic road map.
"It was noted that ultimately the intra-Afghan dialogue would be vital to reach an agreement where Afghanistan becomes a stable, peaceful and prosperous country. It was also stressed that taking the Afghan peace process forward remains a shared responsibility," the Foreign Office further stated.
"The intra-Afghan dialogue will prove to be a milestone in restoration of peace and stability in Afghanistan as well as the long-lasting reconstruction and development of the country," Qureshi was quoted as having said.
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