Pakistan, on Sunday, welcomed the Afghan government’s decision of a ceasefire during the upcoming festival of Eid-ul-Azha and hoped that it would create an environment which would help bringing peace and stability in Afghanistan. “Pakistan fully supports all such efforts that contribute to achieving durable stability and lasting peace in Afghanistan”, Foreign Office spokesman, Dr Muhammad Faisal, said in a statement at Islamabad. The spokesman said that the people of Afghanistan deserved this initiative. “Coinciding with the Independence Day of Afghanistan, the announcement has an even greater significance”, Dr Faisal remarked. The spokesman further said that Pakistan considered Eid-ul-Azha as an appropriate occasion for all the parties to make a commitment to ceasefire along the lines of much-appreciated ceasefire in Afghanistan a few months back at Eid ul Fitr. He added, “Pakistan calls upon all the parties to respect the holy tradition of sacrifice during Eid-ul-Azha and implement a ceasefire in hostilities – preferably for a more extended period of time”. The spokesman remarked that this would allow the people of Afghanistan to celebrate the great tradition of sacrifice in comfort and peace, during this holy month of Zilhaj and such steps would create an environment of enduring peace and stability in Afghanistan. Published in Daily Times, August 20th 2018.