Pakistan ready to facilitate dialogue between Afghan govt, Taliban: Sartaj Aziz

Published June 25, 2015
"Pakistan is ready to play any possible role in the reopening of dialogue between Afghan Taliban and the Afghan government where ever it is being planned," says Adviser on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz. — Reuters/File
"Pakistan is ready to play any possible role in the reopening of dialogue between Afghan Taliban and the Afghan government where ever it is being planned," says Adviser on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz. — Reuters/File

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said it is ready to facilitate dialogue between the Afghan government and Afghan Taliban which is expected to start in the upcoming weeks.

"Pakistan is ready to play any possible role in the reopening of dialogue between Afghan Taliban and the Afghan government where ever it is being planned," Adviser on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz told the first ever meeting of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee at Parliament House.

The Taliban have previously shown reservations about Pakistan's involvement in peace talks.

Examine: Taliban dissociate themselves from Afghan peace move

The adviser said the expected dialogue must have some positive impact on the Taliban-led insurgency in Afghanistan with hopes that it may be reduced.

He said not only the Taliban but many foreign fighters are still fighting in Afghanistan.

Aziz said the Afghan Taliban must respect the mandate given by the people of Afghanistan to those who are now in power after the Afghanistan elections last year.

Earlier, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry told the committee that there are no foot prints of IS and that there is no direct threat to Pakistan from IS, however, security agencies must be cognisant of the situation and take precautionary measures.

He confirmed the agreement for peace talks between Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) and Afganistan's domestic intelligence agency National Directorate of Security (NDS) but said the agreement has yet to be ratified and confirmed from the Afghan government.

The agreement for talks comes only days after an attack on Afghanistan's parliament which was claimed by the Afghan Taliban.

Take a look: Brazen Taliban attack on Afghan parliament kills two

Afghanistan's intelligence service had said a Pakistani intelligence officer had helped the Taliban carry out the attack on the parliament.

Examine: ISI officer involved in Kabul parliament attack, claims Afghan intelligence

Opinion

Editorial

Punishing evaders
02 May, 2024

Punishing evaders

THE FBR’s decision to block mobile phone connections of more than half a million individuals who did not file...
Engaging Riyadh
Updated 02 May, 2024

Engaging Riyadh

It must be stressed that to pull in maximum foreign investment, a climate of domestic political stability is crucial.
Freedom to question
02 May, 2024

Freedom to question

WITH frequently suspended freedoms, increasing violence and few to speak out for the oppressed, it is unlikely that...
Wheat protests
Updated 01 May, 2024

Wheat protests

The government should withdraw from the wheat trade gradually, replacing the existing market support mechanism with an effective new one over the next several years.
Polio drive
01 May, 2024

Polio drive

THE year’s fourth polio drive has kicked off across Pakistan, with the aim to immunise more than 24m children ...
Workers’ struggle
Updated 01 May, 2024

Workers’ struggle

Yet the struggle to secure a living wage — and decent working conditions — for the toiling masses must continue.