ISLAMABAD: Pakistan reaffirmed on Wednesday its commitment to the Afghan peace process emphasising the need for continuous regional and international engagement with the neighbouring country in meeting the challenges of peace, security and economic development.
Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Afghanistan Tadamichi Yamamoto, who is on first visit to Pakistan since his appointment in October 2014, held a meeting with Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatimi in Islamabad today.
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During the meeting, the situation in Afghanistan, as well as the ongoing regional and international efforts for Afghanistan’s stability, were discussed.
Mr Fatemi said that Pak-Afghan relations were moving along a positive trajectory and the successful holding of the first round of peace talks was an important milestone.
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He expressed confidence that the talks would resume soon and help in paving way for peace and stability in Afghanistan.
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The prime minister's special assistant on foreign affairs appreciated the role played by United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and reiterated Pakistan’s continued support for the Mission.
The Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Afghanistan appreciated Pakistan’s strong support for UNAMA’s mandate, as well as its role towards international efforts for peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Pakistan had hosted a meeting was hosted between the Afghan Government and Afghan Taliban representatives in Murree on 7 July 2015 along with the representatives from China and USA.
The participants were duly mandated by their respective leadership and expressed their collective desire to bring peace to Afghanistan and the region.
The second round of the talks, which was scheduled to be held in Pakistan on 31 July 2015 was postponed in view of the reports regarding the death of Mulla Omar and the leadership crisis among Taliban.
New Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansoor in his first audio message released August 1 gave mixed signals about the peace process while vowing to continue jihad to implement Shariah and Islamic system.
