PRIME Minister Imran Khan and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani Friday exchanged views on the Afghan peace process and strengthening of bilateral engagement. The Prime Minister called up Ghani and reaffirmed Pakistan’s steadfast support to the Afghan peace process. He noted the positive results of efforts culminating in the US-Taliban peace agreement and commencement of intra-Afghan talks.
Efforts to resolve the 18-year-old conflict in neighbouring Afghanistan have entered a crucial phase with the beginning of the intra-Afghan dialogue aimed at national reconciliation and striking a political deal among all segments of the Afghan society. Though one should not expect miracles in days and weeks but equally worrisome are reports about sharp differences between the Kabul Government and Taliban over fundamental points/issues. There is also an impression that some issues like what system of governance Afghanistan should have and rights of women have prematurely been raised, creating impediments in the reconciliation process. In this backdrop, there is dire need for intensive consultations among all stakeholders and latest contact between Prime Minister Imran Khan and the Afghan President is a welcome initiative. Though there is no substitute to direct across-the-table talks but discussions over telephone can also be helpful in view of the situation arising out of Coronavirus. We hope the two leaders must have discussed the issues marring progress of the dialogue and result-oriented understanding would be reached on some of them during forthcoming visit of Chairman Afghan High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR) Dr. Abdullah Abdullah to Islamabad next week.
