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Published 25 Nov, 2015 10:04pm

Pakhtun political leadership to visit Afghanistan

PESHAWAR/KABUL: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's (KP) top political leadership will leave for Afghanistan on Thursday to meet the neighbouring country's leadership on a two-day visit in an attempt to promote peace in the region.

The Pakistani delegation will be led by leaders of three top political parties of KP, namely Awami National Party's (ANP) Asfandyar Wali, Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party's (PkMAP) Mehmood Khan Achakzai and Qaumi Watan Party's (QWP) Aftab Sherpao.

Talking to Dawn.com, ANP Senator Afrasiab Khattak said the visit is part of strengthening Pak-Afghan relations.

Another participant of the delegation, QWP's Sikandar Sherpao was of the view that the delegation will carry forward the message of peace as it is equally important for both the neighbouring countries.

"We will meet their political leadership and discuss all outstanding issues including terrorism," said Sikandar.

The QWP leader expressed hope that the visit by Pakhtun leadership will be helpful in bringing down the ongoing tensions between the two countries.

Related: Ashraf Ghani slams Pakistan over recent Kabul attacks

Pakistan hosted a meeting between the Afghan Government and Afghan Taliban representatives in Murree on July 7, 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 July 31, 2015, was postponed in view of the reports regarding the death of Mulla Omar and the leadership crisis among Taliban.

Since then, Pakistan has time and again reaffirmed his commitment to an Afghan owned and Afghan led peace process claiming that it is looking towards Afghanistan government to show interest in this regard.

Also Read: Pakistan ready to facilitate Afghan-Taliban peace talks: Sartaj

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