Pakistan urged the Taliban to start intra-Afghan peace negotiations soon, as its foreign minister met with visiting officials of the group in Islamabad on Tuesday.
The meeting between Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and a Taliban delegation led by head of its political office Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar comes as Afghan peace process has stalled over disagreements on a prisoner exchange.
“Pakistan is eager to see an intra-Afghan dialogue start soon to ensure regional peace and stability,” Qureshi said in a statement as quoted by Reuters.
Under the US-Taliban deal, up to 5,000 militants and up to 1,000 government prisoners are expected to be released before intra-Afghan talks.
The government has freed 4,680 prisoners and is demanding the Taliban to release some commandos and pilots in exchange for the remaining.
There are also concerns over rising violence, which diplomats say is sapping trust needed for the talks. The insurgent group has so far rejected implementing a ceasefire before the talks start.
“We deliberated on the complications, and what could be their solution,” Qureshi said in a short media briefing, where no question was taken.
Qureshi reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to a peaceful, stable, united, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan, according to a statement issued by Pakistan’s foreign ministry.
The Foreign Minister also cautioned against ‘spoilers’ who did not wish to see return of peace in the region, the statement said.
Tuesday’s meeting was also attended by Pakistan’s spy chief Lt. Gen. Faiz Hameed, the head of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency.
