Islamabad hosts key players in Afghan endgame
Russian envoy Kabulov, US Centcom chief Gen McKenzie hold talks with COAS Bajwa, FM Qureshi
During the meeting, COAS Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and Russian envoy Zamir Kabulov discussed matters of mutual interest, regional security, particularly developments in the Afghan peace process. PHOTO: ISPR
ISLAMABAD:
The Russian president’s point man for Afghanistan and the US Centcom chief dashed to Islamabad on Friday at a time when the peace process hangs in balance with the US and NATO forces reluctant to abide by the February 29, 2020 deal with the Taliban.
The flurry of visits by top officials of key players in the Afghan endgame suggested efforts to rescue the fragile peace process that hit a roadblock after differences between the US and Taliban on how to end the lingering war.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Friday expressed concern over the current level of violence in Afghanistan and urged all sides to take measures towards a ceasefire in the war-torn country. He was talking to Afghan leader Ahmed Wali Massoud, who is head of Massoud Foundation and is visiting Pakistan, according to the Foreign Office (FO). During the meeting, the two focused on the Afghan Peace Process and Pakistan-Afghanistan bilateral relations. The foreign minister expressed serious concern at the current level of violence and underscored that all sides must take measures for reduction in violence leading to ceasefire. He also underlined the need for being vigilant about the role of spoilers.
Peace in Afghanistan to open new vistas for trade, regional connectivity: FM Qureshi
February 19, 2021
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that Pakistan has no favourites in Afghanistan, and reiterated that Pakistan’s message to all sides is to work together constructively for a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Afghanistan.
Talking to the Head of Massoud Foundation of Afghanistan Ahmed Wali Massoud who met him at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad on Friday, Qureshi said that lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan would open new vistas for trade, economic cooperation, and regional connectivity.
In the meeting, both sides exchange views focusing on the Afghan peace process and Pakistan-Afghanistan bilateral relations.