Pakistan urges support for Afghanistan’s reconciliation process

UNITED NATIONS: Making her maiden speech at the UN Security Council, Pakistan on Monday urged the international community to actively support the reconciliation process initiated by Afghanistan’s National Unity government with the Taliban to promote peace and stability in the country, saying Islamabad would facilitate the move.
Speaking in the 15-member Council on the situation in Afghanistan, Pakistan UN Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi said at a time when Afghanistan faced a defining moment, the strategic shift in Pakistan-Afghan ties had created an optimistic regional scenario. “The Afghan parties and the international community will need to exercise strategic patience,” she said.
“Those who may desire to disrupt the peace process should be discouraged. They are on the wrong side of history.” She also welcomed China’s closer engagement in promoting reconciliation and economic development in Afghanistan.
Lodhi recalled the visit of President Ghani to Islamabad last November. Calling the visit “historic”, she said, “President Ghani’s talks with Prime Minister Sharif succeeded in overcoming in 3 days the accumulated challenges of 13 years.”