Pakistan has emphasised the need for reducing violence in Afghanistan with a view to advance the peace process following the US and Taliban accused each other of not honouring the Feb 29 peace deal.
"Pakistan has consistently underlined the importance of a peaceful and stable Afghanistan, which we deem indispensable for peace and stability in the region and beyond," said Foreign Office spokesperson Aisha Farooqui, adding that the US-Taliban peace agreement signed in Feb 2020 was a significant step forward, creating a historic opportunity for the move towards intra-Afghan negotiations.
The spokesperson's statement comes following argument exchanged between spokesman for the US forces in Afghanistan Col Sonny Leggett and Taliban's spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid taking to Twitter on Saturday.
"You asked for clarity on Gen Miller's calls for the Taliban to reduce violence. Let's clarify: The people of Afghanistan want peace. The world has asked the Taliban to cease violence and focus on Covid-19. Now is the time to stop the violence," Col Leggett said in a tweet tagging Zabihullah Maujahid, and the Taliban's Doha political offices spokesman Suhail Shaheen.
Col Leggett added: "Reducing violence is an absolute necessity - and this is up to the leaders of all military forces - ANDSF [Afghan National Defense and Security Forces], Taliban fighters and, yes, the coalition. Attacks generate attacks, while restraint produces restraint. All sides must choose restraint to prevent more killing and violence."
In his response, the Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, advised the spokesman for the US forces in Afghanistan to avoid harming the current environment with "pointless and provocative" statements.
"Path to a resolution lies in the implementation of the Doha agreement. Do not harm the current environment with pointless and provocative statements. We are committed to our end, honor your own obligations," Mujahid added.
Without referring to the arguments between the US and Taliban authorities, Farooqui asserted that Pakistan believed that the pursuit of sustained reduction in violence by all concerned parties was pivotal in advancing the cause of peace in Afghanistan.
She said that the unprecedented challenges posed by Covid-19 and the advent of the holy month of Ramazan further underscore the imperative of creating a conducive environment.
"Pakistan also wishes to underline the importance of political reconciliation among all Afghan parties and stakeholders. An inclusive political dispensation would indeed help fortify the efforts that the Afghan nation needs at this critical time to effectively confront the challenges it faces," she said.
For its part, Farooqui added that Pakistan would continue to support a peaceful, stable, united, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan, at peace with itself and its neighbours.
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