Pakistan PM discusses peace process with Afghan leader

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AA) - Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday evening spoke with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and discussed the ongoing peace process in Afghanistan to end the 19-years long conflict in the war-torn country.

According to a statement issued from Prime Minister office at Islamabad, Khan had a telephone conversation with President Ghani and discussed peace process and strengthening of Pakistan-Afghanistan bilateral engagement.

"The Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s steadfast support to the Afghan peace process and noted the positive results of these efforts culminating in U.S.-Taliban Peace Agreement and the commencement of Intra-Afghan Negotiations. He also appreciated the steps taken by relevant sides to enable the start of Intra-Afghan Negotiations in Doha," said in the statement.

The pakistani premier also emphasized the importance of all Afghan parties working for reduction in violence leading to ceasefire.

"The Prime Minister further underscored that all Afghan stakeholders must seize this historic opportunity and work together to secure an inclusive and comprehensive political agreement through the Afghan-led and Afghan-owed process," the statement further added.

Khan also emphasized that his country will fully support the decisions that the Afghan people will take about their future.

​On the bilateral plane, the prime minister underlined the importance Pakistan attaches to constructive engagement with Afghanistan and to peace, stability and prosperity of the Afghan people.

Khan noted that the Chairman of Afghan High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR), Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, will be visiting Islamabad next week.

Ghani also extended an invitation to Khan to visit Kabul, which the latter accepted and said he will undertake the visit at the earliest opportunity.

On Monday, Abdullah's office said he will go for the first time since 2008 to Islamabad upon an earlier invitation by Khan.

Abdullah's announcement came after an unprecedented development, the government representatives and the leaders of the Taliban met in Doha for landmark intra-Afghan talks that began on Sep. 12.