Pakistan welcomed the announcement by United States and the Taliban on Friday that they would sign the peace deal on February 29, 2020 and hoped that the development leads to an early intra Afghan dialogue for durable and genuine peace in the war-torn country.
The US and the Taliban, through separate statements to media, announced major development in the ongoing peace talks in which the two sides have agreed to sign the peace deal on 29th of this month in the presence of 'international observers' and representatives of various countries.
"After decades of conflict, we have come to an understanding with the Taliban on a significant reduction in violence across Afghanistan. This is an important step on a long road to peace, and I call on all Afghans to seize this opportunity," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated in a tweet. In a statement, released by the Stated Department on Friday, Pompeo said that the United States and the Taliban have been engaged in extensive talks to facilitate a political settlement to end the war in Afghanistan, reduce United States and Allied Forces presence, and ensure that no terrorist group ever uses Afghan soil to threaten the United States or our allies. "In recent weeks, in consultation with the government of National Unity [Afghanistan], U.S. negotiators in Doha have come to an understanding with the Taliban on a significant and nationwide reduction in violence across Afghanistan. Upon a successful implementation of this understanding, signing of the U.S.-Taliban agreement is expected to move forward. We are preparing for the signing to take place on February 29," Pompeo further said. He said that the intra-Afghan negotiations will start soon thereafter, and will build on this fundamental step to deliver a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire and the future political roadmap for Afghanistan.
"The only way to achieve a sustainable peace in Afghanistan is for Afghans to come together and agree on the way forward; Challenges remain, but the progress made in Doha provides hope and represents a real opportunity. The United States calls on all Afghans to seize this moment," he asserted.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid also issued a statement, saying that following the extensive negotiations between the Taliban and the US, both parties agreed to sign the finalized accord in the presence of international observers on the 29th of this month. He said that both sides will now create a suitable security situation in advance of agreement signing date, extend invitations to senior representatives of numerous countries and organizations to participate in the signing ceremony, make arrangements for the release of prisoners and structure a path for intra-Afghan negotiations with various political parties of the country. "...the two sides would also lay the groundwork for peace across the country with the withdrawal of all foreign forces and not allowing the land of Afghanistan to be used against security of others so that our people can live a peaceful and prosperous life under the shade of an Islamic system, Allah willing," the spokesman for the Taliban further said. Commenting on the development, Foreign Office spokesperson Aisha Farooqui said Pakistan welcomes the announcement regarding the U.S.-Taliban agreement, adding that Pakistan has consistently supported direct negotiations between the U.S. and Taliban. From the outset, she stated that Pakistan has facilitated this process and contributed to its progress thus far. "We look forward to the signing of the agreement on 29 February 2020," she said, adding: "We believe the signing of the U.S.-Taliban agreement will pave the way for the next step of intra-Afghan negotiations.
She further said that Pakistan hopes the Afghan parties would now seize this historic opportunity and work out a comprehensive and inclusive political settlement for durable peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region. "Pakistan reaffirms its support for a peaceful, stable, united, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan, at peace with itself and with its neighbors. We are also looking forward to the international community playing its part in reinforcing the efforts for the establishment of sustainable peace in Afghanistan and helping to create conditions inside Afghanistan to enable the return of Afghan refugees from Pakistan to their homeland with dignity and honor," the spokesperson added.
A spokesperson for Afghan National Security Council (NSC) Jawed Faisal confirmed a seven-day period of the reduction in violence - which the US and the Taliban have agreed as a pre-condition to signing a peace deal - will begin sharply at 12am-midnight, the morning of Saturday, February 22 (today). He said that Afghan forces are ready to implement the reduction in violence plan.
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