Pakistan supports Taliban, Afghan govt ‘reconciliation’ talks

By
AFP
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Pakistan supports Taliban, Afghan govt ‘reconciliation’ talks
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has extended its support to reconciliation process between Afghan government and Taliban in Qatar.

Foreign Secretary Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, while addressing a press conference here Sunday, said, “Pakistan wants peace in Afghanistan and supports reconciliation process between Taliban and Afghan government.” He said Pakistan will also cooperate in this regard if needed.

Aizaz further said, “Peace in Afghanistan is imperative for peace in the region.”

He went on to say that Pakistan is desirous for better ties with Afghanistan.
Officials of the Afghan government and the Afghan Taliban will hold two days of “reconciliation” talks in Qatar, the Gulf country’s state news agency has reported, although both sides have sought to downplay expectations from the meeting.

QNA did not identify the officials taking part in the talks, which it said began on Saturday, citing the foreign ministry official Yousif al-Sada.

Also read: Taliban, Afghan officials hold ‘reconciliation’ talks in Qatar

“The dialogue will be through open discussions about the Afghan reconciliation between all parties in Afghanistan,” the agency said.

In a statement, the Afghan Taliban earlier identified eight people who would take part in the talks. However, they said the discussions “should not be misconstrued as peace or negotiation talks”.