To discuss the Afghan Peace talks, Abdullah, the head of Afghanistan High Council for National Reconciliation arrived in Islamabad on Monday on a three-day Pakistan visit.
Pakistan invited the High Council for National Reconciliation chairman of Afghanistan Abdullah Abdullah for an official visit in an attempt to accelerate the sluggish peace process in the war-torn country.
Foreign Minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi served the initiative when Pakistan’s special envoy for Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq Khan tweeted, “Pakistan-Afghanistan relations are moving forward. Foreign Minister S. M. [Shah Mehmood] Qureshi has invited Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, to pay an official visit to Pakistan.”
He added that Abdullah will visit Islamabad at mutually convenient dates. The visit is aimed at discussing the ongoing Afghan peace process with a focus on direct talks between the Taliban and the Kabul government.
Afghanistan official Abdullah on key Pakistan trip in bid for peace
The High Council for National Reconciliation Chairman of Afghanistan will meet the President of Pakistan Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan, the foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and the speaker of the National Assembly, said a statement from Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry.
The statement further says, “The visit will provide an opportunity for a wide-ranging exchange of views on the Afghan peace process and strengthening of Pakistan-Afghanistan bilateral relations and people-to-people interaction.”
“Pakistan attaches high importance to its fraternal ties with Afghanistan, rooted deep in shared history, faith, culture, values, and traditions.”
It added, “Pakistan fully supports all efforts for peace, stability, and prosperity of the Afghan people. The visit of Dr. Abdullah Abdullah will contribute to further strengthening amity, brotherhood, and close cooperation between the two countries.”
This visit is the first one for Abdullah in Pakistan in his capacity as the Afghan peace negotiator, which comes days after the intra-Afghan dialogue started in Doha earlier in September, following the completion of the exchange of prisoners from both Taliban and Kabul regime.
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