On Sunday, the Foreign Office of Pakistan (FO) released a press statement reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to the peace process in Afghanistan.
The press release acknowledged the appreciation that Afghan officials have had for Pakistan’s effort for peace in the region, however, the FO also expressed concerns “about some negative comments which continue to emanate from certain official as well as unofficial Afghan circles.”
“We would continue to emphasize the mutually agreed fundamental principle that all bilateral issues including security and intelligence matters should be addressed through relevant bilateral forums and channels,” read the statement. “Appropriate institutional forums are in place for such discourse in the relevant Working Groups of Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APPAPS). In addition, during the visit of Prime Minister of Pakistan to Kabul in November 2020 the two sides also agreed on further strengthening their contacts on matters related to security and peace process.”
FO also emphasised on the fact that there is no military solution to the Afghan conflict and appreciated the peace negotiations as part of a political solution. While also highlighting the fact that Pakistan has been engaged in serious efforts to facilitate an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned peace process.
Furthermore, the FO expressed the desire to “support a peaceful, stable, united, independent, democratic, sovereign and prosperous Afghanistan.”
