Staff Reporter
Islamabad
Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Wednesday said that the responsibility for a reduction in violence in Afghanistan cannot be shouldered by the Taliban alone.
Addressing a press conference following a meeting with an Afghan Taliban delegation led by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the foreign minister said that peace talks have now begun but the reduction in violence that was expected is so far not being witnessed.
“But this responsibility cannot be placed on the shoulders of the Taliban alone. All sides will have to play a role,” he stressed.
He said that there are many reasons for the violence and the delegation presented their viewpoint on the matter. Qureshi said Pakistan wants a reduction in violence and wants it to proceed towards a ceasefire. “For a stable Afghanistan a comprehensive and inclusive settlement is required,” he added.
Qureshi, during a meeting with Taliban leadership on Wednesday, emphasised the importance of measures by all sides for reduction in the violence leading to a ceasefire in Afghanistan, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In a meeting with a delegation of Taliban Political Commission, headed by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the foreign minister underlined the need for guarding against the machinations of “spoilers” from disrupting the process.
The delegation appreciated Pakistan’s facilitative role in the Afghan peace process and shared its perspective on various aspects of the Intra-Afghan Negotiations.
It also thanked Pakistan for hosting millions of Afghan refugees for more than four decades. Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that the next round of talks between the US and Afghan Taliban for peace in Afghanistan will commence on January 5.
Emphasising Pakistan’s commitment to safe and dignified return of Afghan refugees to their homeland, Qureshi expressed the hope that peace and stability in Afghanistan will help create conducive conditions for a time-bound and well-resourced roadmap supported by the international community. He also highlighted the steps being taken by Pakistan to deepen the economic relations and people-to-people exchanges including visa facilitation and enhancing trade and transit for the welfare of fraternal Afghan people.
