Foreign minister reaffirms Pakistan's commitment to negotiate settlement of Afghan conflict

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Tuesday reiterated Pakistan’s desire for achieving peace in Afghanistan.

According to Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal, he expressed this resolve during a meeting with American delegation led by US Special Representative on Afghan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad in Islamabad.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Pakistan would continue to play its role for political solution of the Afghan conflict.

He said Pakistan welcomed the US efforts for peace in Afghanistan.

Read More: Maulana Sami ul Haq excuses himself from arbitrating between Afghan govt, Taliban

Earlier, Pakistan and the United States held delegation level talks on Afghan reconciliation process at the Foreign Office in Islamabad.

Pakistani side was led by Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua and the US side by its special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad.

The two sides discussed the Afghan situation and its reconciliation process.

Security, defence and diplomatic officials from both sides attended the delegation level talks.

Earlier this month, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-S (JUI-S) chief Maulana Sami ul Haq excused himself from playing the role of a mediator between the Afghanistan government and Afghan Taliban, reasoning that the world powers did not want it to be resolved and he could not burden his weak shoulders.

A high-level delegation of the Afghan government had approached him at Akora Khattak seeking assistance in paving way and arranging peace talks with the Afghan Taliban.

“We regard you as our leader and will acknowledge your any decision in this regard. Kindly, guide us for establishment of peace in Afghanistan,” the Afghan delegation requested him.