Khan vows to help stem violence in Afghanistan
kabul — Prime Minister Imran Khan visited war-torn neighbour Afghanistan on Thursday, where he vowed to help reduce spiralling violence and push for a ceasefire between the Taleban and Afghan forces.
Khan’s maiden visit to Kabul comes amid surging violence across Afghanistan that has worsened despite Afghan government negotiators and the Taleban launching peace talks in September.
“We notice with concern that the level of violence despite the talks in Qatar ... is rising,” Khan told reporters outside the presidential palace after meeting with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.
“Pakistan will do everything, whatever is possible, we will do to help reduce this violence and in fact move towards a ceasefire.”
Khan said it was Pakistan that first persuaded the Taleban to talk to Washington in 2018 for negotiations that eventually yielded a withdrawal deal for all foreign forces.
He also credited Islamabad’s efforts in helping start the peace talks in Doha. “We the people and government of Pakistan have only one concern, and that concern is ... that we want peace (in Afghanistan),” Khan said.
“Let us know where we can help you. We assure you that we will be there to help reduce slur of violence,” the prime minister told the Afghan president, as the two spoke before the local and international media.
Khan expressed concern over increasing violence in Afghanistan and supported the idea of establishing committees from the two governments to hold mutual discussions.
He said close cooperation between the committees and intelligence agencies would lead towards finding effective solutions for peace and stability.
Khan thanked President Ghani for extending an invitation to visit Afghanistan, expressing confidence that it would lead to further strengthening of ties between the two countries.
He said Pakistan and Afghanistan enjoyed historic links and brotherly relations, and recalled that during the era of 70s, Kabul and Peshawar were the favourite destinations for the visitors from both sides.
“My visit at this particular time has a message that Pakistan wants peace in Afghanistan,” he added.
The prime minister said peace and connectivity was the best way to ensure prosperity of Pakistan, Afghanistan and also the entire region. —
Pakistan will do everything, whatever is possible, we will do to help reduce this violence (in Afghanistan) Imran Khan
Prime Minister