Aziz to tell Afghan leaders to stop slurring Pakistan

By
AFP
|
Aziz to tell Afghan leaders to stop slurring Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz will be in Kabul today (Friday) to attend the Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan (RECCA).

Besides the conference, Aziz will deliver a decisive two-point message to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, his Afghan counterpart Hanif Atmaar and Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani, asking them to immediately stop all anti-Pakistan propaganda.

The second point is for Afghanistan to choose between dialogue or the use of force, to resolve the Afghan issue. Pakistan will recommend that Kabul return to peace talks with the Taliban.

In case Afghanistan agrees to opt for dialogue, Islamabad will play its role as facilitator. If Afghanistan chooses to use force, the repercussions will be felt in both Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Diplomatic sources have confirmed that Pakistan has already informed the United States and China regarding the messages Aziz will deliver to Kabul.

Sources also add, that the second round of talks between Afghanistan and the Taliban were to be held in Murree on the 31st of July, but Kabul released the information of Mullah Omar’s death resulting in the adjournment of talks. Sources further add, if Kabul had not rushed to release the news the results could have been fruitful.

The relationship with Ashraf Ghani’s government was off to a very good start, but certain segments in the Afghan government and political circles have damaged the relationship.

Pakistan’s clear message comes just two days after Ashraf Ghani in a ‘harsh-worded press release from his office and aware of Aziz's visit said the main difference between the two countries was the presence of Afghan terrorist groups inside Pakistan including the Haqqani network.