Pak, Taliban urge US to resume Afghan talks

Islamabad, October 3

Pakistan on Thursday asked the Taliban to grasp the opportunity and resume talks with the US for an early and peaceful resolution of the conflict in Afghanistan, saying war is not a solution, as top leaders of the militant group met Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi here.

A high-level Taliban delegation met Qureshi as part of a push to revive the Afghan peace process stalled after US President Donald Trump abruptly declared the talks with the rebel group “dead”.

The Foreign Office said in a statement that a delegation of the Taliban Political Commission (TPC) called on Qureshi. The delegation was led by the head of TPC Mulla Abdul Ghani Baradar and included senior members of the commission.

“While appreciating Taliban’s serious engagement in the peace process, he underscored the need to take these efforts to their logical conclusion,” Qureshi said.

Trump stunned the world when he suddenly declared that the Afghan peace talks with the Taliban were “dead” following killing on an American soldier.

Qureshi said, “Pakistan has maintained for several years that there is no military solution to the complex situation in Afghanistan. An inclusive peace and reconciliation process, involving all sections of the Afghan society, was the only, practical way forward.”  — PTI

US envoy likely to meet delegation

• Sources said the talks between Foreign Minister SM Qureshi and the Taliban went on for more than one and a half hours. ISI chief Lt Gen Faiz Hameed was also present in the meeting
• US special envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad is also in Pakistan to discuss the revival of the peace talks. He may also meet the Taliban delegation