Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Tuesday, March 19th, 2024

Karzai’s Pakistan Trip A Success: Spokesman

Karzai’s Pakistan Trip A Success: Spokesman

ISLAMABAD - Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed on several issues concerning peace talks with the Taliban, with Kabul insisting the achievements made over the past 10 years must be preserved, a spokesman for President Karzai said on Sunday.
Heading a high-level delegation, Karzai on Thursday travelled to Islamabad for talks with Pakistani officials and attended on Friday a day-long summit with the presidents of Pakistan and Iran on regional challenges.

His spokesman, Aimal Faizi, told Pajhwok Afghan News during an exclusive interview that the trip had been fruitful, as leadership of the two countries agreed on a number of issues regarding the reconciliation talks.

The Afghan side made it clear they would never make peace with militants at the expense of the country's constitution, women's rights and the achievements made over the past 10 years, the presidential spokesman said.
About reports that Karzai had testy exchanges with Pakistan officials, he denied such an incident took place during the meeting with Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani and military leadership of that country.

"Overall the trip was positive and important," he said, adding the bilateral talks took place in a friendly environment, with the Pakistani side patiently hearing President Karzai's views on the reconciliation parleys with the insurgents.

During the trip, Karzai asked the Pakistan government, political parties and religious scholars to support the Afghan-led peace process to prevent security threats and extremism.

Karzai met Pakistani political figures Nawaz Sharif, Aftab Sherpao, Chaudhary Shujaat Hussain, Mushahid Hussain Syed, Haji Adeel, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Afrasiab Khatak and Zahid Khan.

They discussed the dialogue with the Taliban and increasing regional cooperation, the sokesman said. Sharif agreed with Karzai that without peace in Afghanistan, stability would elude Pakistan.

At separate meetings, Faizi said, Karzai asked Qazi Husain Ahmad and Maulana Ghafoor Haidari to encourage the Taliban to support the education of women help the government in providing education facilities for girls.
About Qazi's concerns at the presence of foreign troops in the region, Karzai said if Afghanistan and Pakistan failed to resolve their bilateral problems, foreigners would remain present in his country.

With regard to Taliban's political bureau in Qatar, Faizi said: "The problems we had with the United States on the peace talks with Taliban have been resolved." He added the strategy of the government on the subject had been clear.