Pakistan was invited to the big three forum by China, Russia and the United States on Afghan Peace Process in Beijing on July 10-11 in recognition of what is seen Islamabad’s indispensable role in Afghan peace process. The joint statement issued at the conclusion of the meeting said China, Russia, and the US welcomed Pakistan joining the consultation and believe that “Pakistan can play an important role in facilitating peace in Afghanistan.” The Afghan peace process has entered the most critical phase as the peace negotiations are due to begin soon after announcement of the US Taliban peace deal. Additional Secretary at the Foreign Office Muhemmed Aejaz, who represented Pakistan in the meeting, tweeted that Pakistan offered its “continued support for all efforts to crystalise regional and international consensus towards our shared goal of achieving complete and durable peace in Afghanistan.” “Aware of its key role, Pakistan will continue to shoulder its part of the shared responsibility,” Aejaz said, urging all sides to “faithfully implement the “Afghan-owned, Afghan-led” principle as hopes for peace grow stronger by the day.” Time of the four-party meeting was important as the US and Taliban are reporting progress in the talks and could finalize agreement in weeks. Taliban political spokesman Suhail Shaheen told Daily Times in Qatar last week that the peace is possible within a month and even before “Eid-ul-Adha” which is likely to be celebrated on August 11. Something important could also take place after Prime Minister Imran Khan’s meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House on July 22 as Afghan peace process would be one of the key issues on agenda. Both sides have agreed on a pause in the seventh round of talks in Qatar to brief and consult leadership on whatever they have agreed so far. They are confident to reach a final agreement when they resume the talks soon. Pakistan’s full scale help will be required at each and every step where the peace process comes under the threat of being derailed. The forum with expansion of four party talks represents a gathering of countries with highest stakes influence and responsibility in achieving early comprehensive and sustainable peace in Afghanistan. Pakistan’s participation in the Beijing’s meeting provides great strength to the mutual understandings of the three global powers on the way forward in Afghanistan in real practical terms by engaging Pakistan for cooperative role the three powers have clearly endorsed Pakistan view that there is no military solution and only afghans owned afghan led inclusive approach will bring the required positive results. In doing so these countries have also reassured that Pakistan’s concerns and core national interests in Afghanistan as one of the most important neighbours will neither be overlooked not undermined. With possible inclusion of other members in future who have important influence or contributions to make in Afghanistan this forum is likely to become the lead platform for helping the Afghan process. Unlike many others’ multilateral discussion forums on Afghanistan, this important grouping is distinguished as it can help in evolving a broader regional and international consensus on Afghanistan as well as provide practical assistance during the peace negotiations, pre settlement as well as post peace settlement phase in Afghanistan. Pakistan leadership has repeatedly expressed its desire to sincerely help resolving Afghan issue as doing so was in the best nation interest of Pakistan. However, the regional countries and international partners are also expected to open heartedly endorse and appreciate Pakistan’s honest approach. Ambassador Khalilzad led peace initiative could create a hope for peace to a large extent due to Pakistan’s critical support at difficult moments. Pakistan role will remain indispensable till the very last phase of achieving economic stability and prosperity in the whole region. The people of Pakistan are united behind the leadership’s approach on Afghanistan and expect the international community to give due weightage to Pakistan’s contribution so that the optimism and environment of trust and confidence generated despite considerable challenges could be maintained till the very end. Pakistan leadership seems aware of the crucial role it has to play as its part of the shared responsibility to bring peace to Afghanistan. It is hoped the US administration would appropriately use the opportunity provided by Prime Minister Imran khan upcoming visit to the US to deliver a clear direct and positive message of respect for Pakistan. People in Pakistan will follow the visit very closely and will be quite sensitive to this critical aspect. Hopefully, a visit will handle by the Trump administration can take the current upward trend in the Afghan peace and reconciliation process to an entirely new level based on closer Pakistan-US cooperation in Afghanistan as well as in other areas of bilateral cooperation.