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Pakistan, Afghanistan vow to involve Taliban in peace process

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

ISLAMABAD, July 20, IRNA -- Pakistan and Afghanistan have vowed to involve the Taliban, Hezb-e-Islami and other armed opposition groups in the Afghan-led, Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process.

A joint statement issued in Islamabad and Kabul at the conclusion of a day-long visit to Afghanistan by Pakistani Prime Minister, Raja Pervez Ashraf, said that the Prime Minister and Afghan President Hamid Karzai also recognized the importance of pursuing multiple channels of communication and contact with the Afghan Taliban and other armed opposition groups.

The two leaders discussed the Afghan peace process in great depth, renewing the commitment by the two countries to work together towards an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process

“In this context, they emphasized international support for the Afghan peace process and, in particular, welcomed the efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Turkey and other countries,” the statement said.

The two leaders shared the view that the expressed desire and determination of the Afghan people to put an end to violence and bring lasting peace to their country.

“In this context, both sides expressed the hope that Pakistan’s support to the Afghan peace process would contribute to durable peace and stability in Afghanistan”.

The Afghan side welcomed and expressed appreciation for the steps being taken by Pakistan in support of the Afghan peace process, including the public call on the Afghan armed opposition groups to participate in the reconciliation process to achieve long-term peace, stability and progress in Afghanistan.

The Pakistani side reaffirmed its support for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned inclusive peace process, and underlined its determination to redouble efforts in facilitating direct intra-Afghan contacts and negotiations.

The two leaders committed to implement additional concrete steps to advance Afghan peace and reconciliation. Both sides agreed to facilitate a conducive environment for the peace and reconciliation process to move forward.

To ensure the timely follow up of the efforts in support of the Afghan peace process, the two sides highlighted the role of Afghanistan’s High Peace Council and looked forward to a successful visit to Islamabad by the Chairman of the High Peace Council. Both sides also agreed to resume regular meetings of the two-tier Afghanistan-Pakistan Peace Commission.

**1771
Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 80238989