The U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad has welcomed the recent statement by Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan about Afghanistan in which he had stated that Pakistan will not be party to any internal conflict in Afghanistan anymore.
“Greatly appreciate @ImranKhanPTI’s statement yesterday on #Afghanistan. His appeal for reduction of violence and policy against promoting internal conflict in other nations has potential to positively transform the region and give #Pakistan a leading role,” Ambassador Khalilzad said in a Twitter post.
Describing the ongoing peace efforts ‘a historic opportunity for peace in the region’, Prime Minister said Thursday that Pakistan was fully supporting the reconciliation process in Afghanistan.
“Afghanistan conflict has brought great suffering for both Afghanistan and Pakistan over last 40 years. Now, after a long wait, the Afghanistan Peace Process presents a historic opportunity for peace in the region and Pakistan is fully supporting the process including the next logical step of Intra Afghan Dialogue wherein Afghans will themselves decide upon the future of their country,” he said in a statement.
Khan further added “In this backdrop, Pakistan is highly dismayed by the surge of violence in Afghanistan from all sides. The so-called offensives are condemnable and will undermine the peace process. It is not right to seek an edge in dialogue through coercion.”
“Pakistan implores all parties to recognize the importance of the moment and seize it. Pakistan has committed all diplomatic and security capital to success of peace process. Pakistan will not be party to any internal conflict in Afghanistan anymore,” the statement said.
