AFGHAN PEACE TALKS TO RESUME IN THE NEAR FUTURE: CHAUDHRY

Islamabad, 19 Ramadan 1434/27 July 2013 (MINA) – The Foreign Office officials of Pakistan on Thursday announced that Islamabad is optimistic that the stalled Afghan peace process will be revived soon as differences between key stakeholders narrow down over the Afghan Taliban’s office in Doha.

Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry, spokesman for the Pakistan Office said that the only achieve and stability in the region is through reconciliation between Kabul and Taliban group, Khaama Press quoted by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA) as reporting, Saturday.

Peace talks with the Taliban group was halted after Afghan government objected the opening of the Taliban office in Qatar with Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan flag and nameplate, calling it a step to set up a government-in-exile.

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Abdul Karim president Hamid Karzai’s chief of staff recently in an interview with a private TV channel in Afghanistan also said that the opening of the Taliban office in Qatar was a conspiracy to divide Afghanistan, and claimed that United States, Pakistan and Qatar were involved in the plan.

However Chaudhry said that Pakistan exercised utmost restraint and would continue to do so in the future.

“We believe that allegations and counter allegations will not help us achieve our shared goal of securing peace and stability in Afghanistan and our region,” Chaudhry quoted by Pakistan The Express Tribune said.

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“We have taken a positive and constructive approach. We believe that close engagement between Pakistan and the Afghan government could help achieve the objectives of peace and stability in Afghanistan,” Chaudhry said.

According to Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry the recent talks between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s adviser on national security and foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz and Afghan authorities were held in a ‘cordial atmosphere.’

The spokesman maintained that the Afghan president accepted an invitation to visit Pakistan.

“The dates are now being worked out. The two governments are presently engaged in preparing for that visit.”

In response to a question regarding the preconditions attached by Karzai to visit Islamabad, he replied, “It is our hope that Pakistan and Afghanistan will work together on an agenda that leads us to lasting peace, stability, and prosperity in Afghanistan and the region.” (T/P09/E1).

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Mi’raj News Agency (MINA).