Russian envoy hails Pakistan’s role for Afghan peace

ISLAMABAD: Russian Presidential Envoy to Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, on Tuesday met Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and discussed the ongoing Afghanistan situation, ARY News reported.

Kabulov, during the meeting, appreciated Pakistan’s role in the Afghan peace talks . He praised Pakistan for stepping forward for resolving the Afghan conflict.

On the occasion, Shah Mehmood Qureshi said peace in Afghanistan was inevitable for the entire region. “Pakistan will continue playing its role for sustainability of peace in the country.”

Earlier in the day, the Russian envoy also called on Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua at the Foreign Office in Islamabad.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed bilateral ties, Afghan reconciliation and peace process as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest, according to spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal.

Afterwards, the foreign secretary and envoy Kabulov led their respective sides during the delegation level talks.

Mr. Kabulov arrived in Islamabad on a two-day visit on Monday.

Sources said the visit of the Russian envoy was planned after both the countries expressed desire to hold a meeting on Afghan peace process.

The visit will allow the Russian envoy to exchange views with his Pakistani counterparts on the Afghan situation and US talks with the Taliban. On Jan 27, Qureshi said that Pakistan’s efforts helped bringing the United States and the Taliban to a negotiation table.

Qureshi said talks were the only solution for durable peace for both the parties.

He was of the view that Pakistan had earlier promised to play its due role in Afghan peace process. He said the world accepted Pakistan’s stance on the peace process, now we are sure about more good news in the future. “We are concerned about peace in the region, not money,” stated Qureshi. The foreign minister said: “We are one nation, not beggars.”

It is pertinent to note here that Taliban officials last week said the United States negotiators agreed a draft peace deal stipulating the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan within 18 months of the agreement being signed.

The troops’ pullout is yet to be confirmed by US officials nor has either side released an official statement.  US Special Envoy for Afghanistan reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad headed to the Afghan capital Kabul to brief President Ashraf Ghani after the longer-than expected talks, according to foreign wire services.

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