Afghan Former Vice President Karim Khalili who departed for a two-day visit to Pakistan called on Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa in separate meetings on Tuesday to exchange views on Afghanistan’s peace process and bilateral ties between the two neighboring countries.
Imran Khan’s office in a statement said the Prime Minister reiterated that there was no military solution to the Afghan conflict and a negotiated political settlement is the only way forward.
The prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s consistent support to the Afghan peace process and underscored that the intra-Afghan negotiations must be pursued with perseverance and patience for an inclusive and broad-based solution,” the report added.
The premier also shared Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening the bilateral relationship with Afghanistan, including trade and economic ties and people-to-people linkages.
He also met with the Pakistani Chief of Army Staff Qamar Javed Bajwa in Rawalpindi where “matters of mutual interest, peace and stability in the region, connectivity and current developments in Afghan peace process were discussed during the meeting,” according to the Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR)’s statement.
Earlier on Tuesday morning, he called on foreign minister Shah Mehmoud Qureshi in Islamabad.
“FM [foreign minister] reiterated Pakistan’s consistent support for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan,” Mohammad Sadiq, the Pakistani special representative to Afghanistan took to Twitter.
According to Mr. Sadiq, foreign minister Qureshi and his country had constantly emphasized that there was no “military solution” for Afghanistan war, but “a negotiated settlement was the only way forward.”
Mr. Qureshi called on warring parties to work for a reduction in violence which leads to ceasefire; however, “he cautioned against the role of ‘spoilers’ within and outside Afghanistan, who did not wish to see return of peace in Afghanistan and the region.”
Former Vice President Karim Khalili thanked Pakistan for its consistent support to Afghanistan, Ambassador Sadiq cited, particularly for the Afghan peace process and hosting millions of refugees.
“He appreciated various steps taken by Pakistan to strengthen [bilateral] trade and facilitate Afghan nationals through a new visa policy,” according to Mr. Sadiq.
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