City
Epaper

Pakistan welcomes resumption of US-Taliban talks

By IANS | Updated: December 6, 2019 08:50 IST

Pakistan has welcomed the announcement regarding resumption of the US-Taliban talks, hoping the process would lead to intra-Afghan dialogue and ultimately to a peaceful and stable Afghanistan, it was reported on Friday.

Open in App

"Pakistan encourages all parties to the conflict to engage constructively as a shared responsibility," said a statement issued here by the Foreign Office, a day after the US announced that it was set to resume talks with the Taliban in Doha shortly, reports The Express Tribune.

Pakistan, the statement added, has always maintained that there is no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan.

"An inclusive peace and reconciliation process, involving all segments of the Afghan society, is the only practical way forward."

Pakistan's reaction came a day after the US State Department announced that Washington's chief negotiator Zalmay Khalilzad was travelling to Kabul and Doha this week.

The resumption of talks was on the cards since the US and Taliban have been talking to each other informally. Pakistan is believed to have played a key part in persuading the two sides to restart the process.

In September, the two sides were close to signing a peace agreement but US President Donald Trump pulled out of the process at the last minute citing Taliban's continued attacks targeting American soldiers.

The agreement was to deal with the timeline of US troops withdrawal while a commitment from the Taliban of not allowing the Afghan soil to be used by terrorist groups against other countries.

Pakistan, which facilitated the nine-month long peace process in Doha, has pushed for the resumption of talks since it believes that use of force by either side would not resolve the lingering conflict.

In October, it hosted an Afghan Taliban delegation led by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. It also arranged a meeting between the US special envoy and the visiting Taliban delegation.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: TalibanuspakistandohaZalmay Khalilzad
Open in App

Related Stories

InternationalPakistan Lahore Airport Fire: Runway Shut Down After Massive Blaze, Flights Cancelled, Passengers Stranded (Watch Video)

NationalPahalgam Terror Attack: Amit Shah Directs States to Identify and Deport Pakistani Nationals

NationalPakistan Fires Small Arms Along LoC, Indian Army Retaliates Effectively

NationalPakistan Shuts Border, Suspends Shimla Agreement, Trade and Airspace for Indian Airlines

NationalIndian Citizens With Valid Visas Denied Entry Into Pakistan at Attari-Wagah Border; Video Goes Viral

International Realted Stories

InternationalAll they know is throat-slitting: Ex-J&K DGP slams Pak Army official over provocative gesture at UK protest

InternationalProtest erupts near Pakistan Embassy in Kathmandu over Pahalgam terror attack

InternationalPak Army Chief escalates anti-India rant, rakes up two-nation theory again

InternationalManipur's home-grown talent, Yaoreishim from Ukhrul district, showcases intricate leather craftsmanship, has big ambitions

InternationalIranian FM speaks with Pakistan's deputy PM, urges restraint amid India-Pakistan tensions