Daily Times

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Thursday spoke over the telephone and discussed peace process.

The army chief congratulated President Ghani on his re-election and formation of an inclusive team for the intra-Afghan dialogue, the Afghan presidential palace in Kabul said.

General Bajwa hoped that peace negotiations with the Taliban will move forward after the formation of the Afghan government’s negotiation team, a palace statement said. Afghan government announced a 21-member team for the formal negotiations with the Taliban to decide a roadmap for the future political set up.

The talks were earlier planned to start on March 10 but could not take place after the Afghan government refused to release 5000 Taliban prisoners before the start of the intra-Afghan dialogue as a precondition.

The presidential palace said joint fight against the coronavirus, trade and transit issued were also discussed during the telephonic conversation. Pakistani and Afghan leaders emphasised regional and international cooperation to fight the corona pandemic and also called for joint efforts by the two countries.

Both sides also agreed that Pakistan will take measures to facilitate Afghan traders send their trade items to Afghanistan. President Ghani has won support for his negotiation team in and outside Afghanistan, however, Taliban had expressed reservations and said it does not represent all sides. Meanwhile, Foreign Office spokesperson Aisha Farooqui said on Thursday that the proposal to temporarily open border to allow stuck Afghan trucks and nationals is under consideration.

Afghan Ambassador in Islamabad Atif Mashal says he has requested Pakistan to temporary open crossing points for Afghan patients and families in Pakistan.

The Foreign Office spokesperson said Pakistan has welcomed the formation of the negotiation team, which she said should pave the way towards the commencement of intra-Afghan negotiations process.

“Pakistan believes it is an important step, reflecting the commitment of the leadership to according priority to peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan,” she said.

Aisha said the US-Taliban Peace Agreement has provided a historic opportunity to establish durable peace and stability in Afghanistan, which can be realized by resolving differences, eschewing recrimination, working constructively together, and cooperating in the supreme interest of the country.

“We hope that all concerned parties will pursue reduction in violence as a common cause in its earnest. Pakistan will continue to support a peaceful, stable, united, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan, at peace with itself and with its neighbours,” she said.