Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Pakistan Supports Afghan-Owned Peace Initiative

tolonews.com

During his three-day trip to Qatar, Pakistani Prime Minister, Yosuf Raza Gilani said that his country supported Afghan-led peace process.

He also called Doha's role vital in stability of the region.

At the time of his departure from Pakistan, the prime minister reiterated stance of his government to support Afghan-led and Afghan-owned initiatives for a stable Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed Mr Gilani's statement and hoped for an honest Pakistani role in Afghan peace efforts.

"Pakistan plays a vital role in the Afghan peace process," a spokesman for Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Janan Musazai said. "We hope for an honest involvement of Pakistan in this process. We thanked for the comments made by Mr Gilani and Foreign Minister Khar."

Before Mr Gilani's trip to Qatar, Pakistan's Foreign Minister, Hinna Rabbani Khar visited Afghanistan and emphasised on her country's support of Afghan peace efforts.

"Let me also say quite clearly we have to start engaging in the end of blame games," she said. "We have to evolve a cooperative approach which is there to deal with the common challenges that both the countries face and attain to ensure a better future for our people."

Meanwhile, in a meeting between Mr Gilani and a delegation of Afghan parliamentarians last week, he said that peace in Afghanistan was critical for peace and security in Pakistan.

Mr Gilani's efforts come as recently a Nato revealed report showed strong support of Pakistani officials to Afghan Taliban.

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