TOLONEWS
Pakistan Prime Minister’s Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz opened a meeting of the Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) in Islamabad by saying a clear road map is needed for the peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.
He also said political reconciliation is the most practical option for promoting long-term peace and stability in Afghanistan.
“A clear and well-defined road map for peace talks between the government of Afghanistan and Taliban is of crucial importance,” Aziz said. “It should identify and stipulate various stages of the process while measuring the progress made at each stage.”
He added that the people of Afghanistan have been suffering from an unending cycle of violence for decades. “They need lasting peace and stability,” he said. “The road map must also serve to convey positive signals about the unflinching commitment of parties to the peace process,” he added.
He called on all QCG countries to persuade Taliban groups to join the talks.
“I am hopeful that continuing in this spirit and resolve, the group will now focus on identifying a way forward for holding direct peace talks between the government of Afghanistan and Taliban as early as possible.”