Resurgence in Afghan violence will strengthen ‘spoilers’, says Qureshi on June 25, 2021Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday expressed concern on the resurgence of high levels of violence in Afghanistan and said it would strengthen the hands of spoilers, who did not wish to see return of peace in the region. Qureshi expressed these views during his meeting with Iran’s Special Envoy of Foreign Minister for […]
Qureshi fears civil war if Taliban, gov’t fail to reach deal before end game on June 21, 2021Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood fears another civil war in Afghanistan if the Taliban and the Afghan government fail to reach a deal before the withdrawal of foreign forces is completed. “There’s a stalemate at the moment and I hope you can get over the stalemate because if stalemate continues, and the withdrawal is completed, unfortunately, […]
EU, Pakistan favour political settlement in Afghanistan through inclusive dialogue on June 18, 2021The European Union’s Special Envoy (Acting) for Afghanistan, Tomas Niklasson, who wrapped up his three-day visit to Pakistan has said that Pakistan and the EU support a political settlement in Afghanistan. Niklasson visited Pakistan at a time when concerns are fast growing about the possible chaos in Afghanistan in the wake of lack of progress […]
Afghanistan-Pakistan Track-II Dialogue fears more violence after pullout on June 17, 2021A two-day Afghanistan-Pakistan Track-II Dialogue held in Islamabad has issued a joint statement, showing serious concern at a possible spike in Afghanistan after withdrawal of foreign forces as the warring sides have not reached any peace deal. “The South-Asian region is transiting through critical times laced with ardent hope for peace to return to Afghanistan. […]
Pakistan, Afghanistan track-II dialogue begins in Islamabad on Monday on June 14, 2021Afghan political leaders, former diplomats, members of civil society, women activists and senior journalists have arrived in Pakistan for a two-day Pakistan-Afghanistan track-II dialogue, beginning on Monday amid stalemate in peace process and tension between the two countries over a series of statements by Afghan leaders. The first round of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Track-1.5 Bilateral Dialogue […]
Pakistani, Afghan scholars rule no place for suicide attacks, extremism in Islam on June 11, 2021Pakistani and Afghan religious scholars on Thursday backed the Afghan peace process and declared that suicide attacks, extremism and violence are against Islam. Saudi Arabia hosted a day-long virtual conference amid lack of progress in negotiations involving Afghans and spike in violence in Afghanistan. The conference issued a 14-point declaration which said that negotiation between […]
Pakistani, Afghan scholars to discuss status of Afghan war today on June 10, 2021Pakistani and Afghan religious scholars will hold a conference on Thursday to discuss if the on-going war in Afghanistan is justified, people familiar with the conference have said. Afghanistan has long been demanding holding a joint conference of “ulema” to issue an edict against the war and suicide attacks like the one issued by Pakistani […]
Khalilzad on new peace mission as Kabul welcomes PM’s statement on June 7, 2021As the end game in Afghanistan is fast approaching, US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad arrived in Afghanistan’s capital Kabul on Sunday for talks on ways to push the fragile peace process forward. Pakistan has also intensified consultations with the Afghan leaders, days after Prime Minister Imran Khan announced to seek a […]
Pakistan foresees challenges as well as opportunities in Afghan troop pullout on June 4, 2021Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday spoke about what he called ‘serious security challenges’ in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of foreign forces. But at the same time, he pointed out that withdrawal also provides an opportunity for reconciliation in the war-shattered country. “The US and NATO forces have already started withdrawal of troops from […]
Blame game affects peace process, relations: Qureshi to Afghan NA speaker on June 2, 2021Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi told the visiting Afghan parliamentary speaker that statements based on accusations could have a negative impact on the peace process and bilateral relations. Qureshi was talking to Mir Rahman Rahmani, speaker of Afghanistan’s Wolesi Jirga (National Assembly) at the Foreign Ministry weeks after Pakistan summoned the Afghan ambassador to lodge […]