PESHAWAR - Afghanistan’s ambassador to Pakistan, claiming support for the national reconciliation push, has ruled preconditions for peace talks between Kabul and the Taliban.
In an interview published on Monday, Dr. Omar Zakhilwal said: “The Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) has agreed there will be no pre-conditions for peace talks.”
A visible fall in violence during the negotiations would further strengthen the national consensus on a negotiated end to the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan, he told The Express Tribune.
However, he believed the process should begin soon to keep the people from losing trust and patience.“There is overwhelming support in Afghanistan for peace talks.”
Zakhilwal claimed influential leaders, including President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Dr Abdullah, were on the same page on the reconciliation effort.
According to the diplomat, former president Hamid Karzai has thrown his weight behind the four-way talks, whose fourth round is due on February 3 in Kabul.
“It defines certain principles that provide the boundaries needed to take the process forward,” the former finance minister said of the roadmap for dialogue with the Taliban.  (Pajhwok)