Indonesia to play role in Afghan peace

islamabad — President Mamnoon Hussain and Visiting Indonesian President Joko Widodo have agreed to work together for peace in the war-shattered Afghanistan.

President Joko Widodo, who arrived in Pakistan on a two-day state visit on Friday, held talks with Hussain and proposed a joint role of religious scholars of the three nations for peace in Afghanistan, the president office said.

“Pakistan has always played an important role for peace in the neighbouring country. Pakistan and Indonesia can jointly promote moderation in the world,” he said.

Hussain said Pakistan will welcome Indonesia’s peace role in Afghanistan, Xinhua quoted the president office as saying.

Widodo’s comments came amid reports that Indonesia wanted to play a role in Afghan peace.

In November 2017, Chief of Afghanistan High Peace Council Karim Khalili visited Indonesia where he held discussions with high-ranking Indonesian officials, including Widodo on the peace process in Afghanistan.

Afghan ambassador in Qatar, Faizullah Kakar, had stated in October 2017 that Indonesia wants to help in peace.

Earlier addressing a joint session of parliament in Islamabad, Widodo said economic activities would never take place if there was conflict or war.

“Conflicts and wars benefit no one ...women and children become most impacted in such situations,” he said. —

Pakistan has always played an important role for peace in the neighbouring country. Pakistan and Indonesia can jointly promote moderation in the world Joko Widodo, Indonesian President