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Withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan will help further peace process: Qureshi
![Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan has also released some [Afghan Taliban] prisoners so that "an enabling environment" conducive to the talks can be created. —PID](https://i.dawn.com/primary/2018/12/5c1e7361800ba.jpg)
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Saturday welcomed US President Donald Trump's decision regarding the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan and reiterated Pakistan's desire for peace in the region.
Talking to media persons in Multan, the foreign minister said the decision [of US troops withdrawal] will help further the ongoing peace talks being held in UAE between the Afghan Taliban and the US.
The US has about 14,000 troops in Afghanistan working either with a Nato mission to support Afghan forces or in separate counter-terrorism operations.
The Wall Street Journal reported that more than 7,000 troops would be returning from Afghanistan.
Qureshi said Pakistan has also released some [Afghan Taliban] prisoners so that "an enabling environment" conducive to the talks can be created.
He asserted that Pakistan will continue to play whatever role it can play to support the Afghan peace process.
Regarding the worsening of the situation in occupied Kashmir, the foreign minister said Pakistan had raised the issue with the United Nations about the use of excessive force by Indian troops and the violation of human rights in the occupied region.
"Two days ago, Prime Minister Imran Khan spoke to the UN secretary general and urged him to play his role and investigate the matter," said Qureshi.
There was a growing sense of alienation among the people [of Kashmir] and things were not getting any easier, he added.
"If achieving success was possible with the use of force, it would have been attained by now. But the use of force [by India] is only worsening the situation in occupied Kashmir," he maintained.
The foreign minister dismissed the idea that talks were underway to secure the release of Dr Shakeel Afridi in exchange for Dr Aafia Siddiqui.
When asked to express his views regarding the fact that Nawaz Sharif might celebrate his birthday in jail, following the Supreme Court verdict due on Monday, Qureshi said: "I am of the view that there is a legal process through which they [the Sharifs] have presented their stance. They were given complete chance [to defend themselves] in the Supreme Court, before the JIT, and then the accountability court. Furthermore, their lawyers appeared before the court, submitted all documentation, and arguments were presented."
"Now the decision has been reserved. The judge is unbiased, the judiciary is impartial, the accountability process was conducted in a free and fair environment. All we have to do now is wait. Our opinion cannot sway the decision this way or that," the minister concluded.
Comments (39) Closed
Let's see how.
With the Taliban? the worst misery for common Afgan people will lose their freedom.
100% disagree, Afghanistan will go right back to stone age era, and it will spill over into Pakistan with no difficulty. Imagine Afghanistan being run by people who have no regard for life, law and order.
How releasing of Talibans will help peace process. it is to make Taliban strong so they can take over Afg again.
Yes, now there is hope for democracy.
out defination of peace is twisted towards self defeat.
withdrawal of US troops will put lot of responsibility on Pak-Iran-Russia-China to mould Taliban-Ghani-Abdullah Abdullah for one Afghanistan because once Westerners withdraw they leave behind divides.
Mr Qureshi, Sir, US withdrawal from Afghanistan will decidedly lead to strengthening of Afghan Taliban and undermining of the Afghan Government. Talks between the two will go nowhere. Eventually, the Afghan Taliban will return to power, resuming where they left in 2001. When George W Bush spoke, there was Musharraf to understand the issues and take decision accordingly. Now, you as Foreign Minister seem to be out of step with actuality. Wish you all the best.
All good moves by Pakistan to achieve peace.
Gordon D. Walker
Canada
When are you replacing Ali Jahangir Siddiqui ambassador to the USA? He was appointed by the PMLN government. If you want to have a strong Pakistani lobby replace him.
It will further destabilise Afghanistan. The only solution is to bring taliban on negotiating table and pakistan should play it's role to bring peace in this region.
Clearly we speak without knowing anything. That is our strength now. Speak nonsense or reject. Where is that Pakistan that was talking sense?
Very well spoken
An angry lion retreating means that it is greater trouble in the jungle.
Withdrawal will bring peace only when there is no expectation of dollars to any one; when there is no expectation to make money of killing peaceful Afghans. This war has been about making money by certain people in and outside Afghanistan.
Statesmanship is not a terror recipe. Taliban must produce real people who can live and let live in this 21st century.
America should now become a friend of the afghani people , the Afghanis deserve this relationship , ceasefire should be declared and friendship restored between the people of USA and Afghanistan , it’s long overdue.America will find a very strong ally in the Afghan people.withdrawl of us fighting forces from Afghanistan will send a strong message of peace to the Afghani people.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi giving a "false" notion about further peace process, when US troops withdraws.
As if Afghan Taliban has said personally to FM Qureshi, that peace will prevail once, US troops leave.
Lets see, what happens when US leaves Afghanistan.
The outcome is going to be terrible, chaos, lawlessness, and once again, besides Pakistan, rest of country might have to leave Afghanistan.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi seems knows better about Afghanistan than Pakistan.
Naya Afghanistan.... with sadar Taliban Khan. Many times in recent past, Pakistan has desired that American troops stay in Afghanistan. What has changed since then?
it will not help without US the situation will get worse in Afghanistan
But Afghan forces are not able to control so called Afghan Govt and Pakistan stance is very clear so ?
Conciliatory anti-populist gesture by Trump... will improve the environment and trust level at the peace talks and will send 7,000 US kids home to family, fulfilling a campaign promise
@Asif Ali, Talaban will be part of government not in absolute command.
Its thougt provoking that US is withdrawing at this juncture. It appears that things were progressing in right direction for achiving peace. I wondeer if the China getting involved with Pakistan and Taliban has anything to do with the decision.
Turkey in Syria and Pakistan in Afghanistan. Will work wonders.
omg, it's written again!
@Asif Ali, dont you wish!!
FM should send Pakistani forces to Afghanistan as a peace force as Pakistan forces have very good relations with Afghan Gov and talban also America will give some money aswell to look after their affairs in Afghanistan in low cost.Naya Afghanistan will emerge like Naya Pakistan.
Why is SMQ commenting on Nawaz Sharif case? Is he so desperate for attention that he has to answer every question put in front of him, whether relevant to his post or not?
Can someone please teach these people the simple phrase "No comment"?
why did they come?
This short sight leader not aware of the consequences.
Good development for Afghanis. But real picture may be clear after few months.
We are interested in peace for Pakistan first of all.
This is the sunset of the US Empire - the shortest in living history.
Peace process should continue.