KSA to facilitate Afghan peace: FO

[UmarJustice]

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to play their role as facilitators to help make Afghan-owned and Afghan-led reconciliation process a success in the interest of peace and stability in war-ravaged Islamic Republic.Foreign Office spokesman Muazzam Ahmed Khan stated this at a weekly briefing to the media persons here on Friday.“Apart from bilateral relations, Islamabad and Riyadh will be discussing host of proposals seeking peace and stability in Afghanistan as terrorism is a common threat facing the two countries, Muazzam said. Terming Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar’s visit to Saudi Arabia a success, Muazzam said relations between the two countries were exemplary.He said the foreign minister during her recent visit to Saudi Arabia held productive talks with leadership of the KSA on bilateral relations and other issues of mutual interest particularly the reconciliation process in Afghanistan.The spokesman said that Afghan President Hamid Karzai had been invited to visit Pakistan and dates of the visit were mutually being worked out.Muazzam said Pakistan and Afghanistan were making efforts to hold an Ulema conference this month in Kabul to help advance the peace process in the war-torn country and the dates being finalized by both the countries. The joint Ulema conference is part of a series of steps the two neighbours announced in November last year to seek a political end to the long running conflict in Afghanistan.Other steps include Pakistan’s decision to release Taliban detainees from its custody, who may help jumpstart the otherwise fragile peace process.The spokesperson confirmed that Pakistan had so far released 26 Afghan Taliban at the request of Kabul. However, he did not provide details whether those released were still in Pakistan or reached Afghanistan.To a question about unabated US drone attacks on Pakistan, Muazzam expressed the hope that the issue would be resolved bilaterally with the United States, as both the countries have been engaged on this issue.He reiterated Pakistan’s official policy on US drone attacks saying drone attacks were unacceptable as they were illegal and counterproductive, adding that Pakistan had taken up the issue with Obama administration several times.The spokesman declined to verify the death of Taliban commander Mullah Nazir in a US drone strike, saying he did read the media reports but was unable to verify them at this point of time. Answering a question about Iran’s nuclear installations, the spokesman said that the matter could be resolved in a peaceful manner, adding that sanctions would not work in this regard.About granting of MNF status to India, the spokesman said that matter was discussed by the cabinet and prime minister had issued instructions to the relevant authorities to expedite the process as early as possible.

KSA to facilitate Afghan peace: FO | The Nation

 

[somebozo]

the first step to peace is eradiation of talibans and weapons. Peace cannot be achieved with armed thugs!

 

[ghilzai]

Yahudia Arabia is involved so its doomed before it has even began.

 

[r3alist]

I assume this has under Sam's backing?

The same Saudi who have gotten away Scott free for their responsibility in funding and creating the Taliban.