Sherpao reiterates call to include Afghan govt in peace talks

PESHAWAR: Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) head Aftab Sherpao said on Tuesday that Afghanistan was a sovereign state and the success of the peace talks would only be possible and long-lasting if Afghan government was included in the process.

The QWP leader was talking to Afghan Ambassador Shukrullah Atif Mashal at his residence.

A communiqué issued after the meeting said, the two discussed the emerging regional scenarios.

Reiterating his party’s stance that the Afghan government should be included in the peace parleys to bring stability to the war-torn country, Aftab Sherpao called upon all stakeholders to play their role to bring stability in the region.

He said that there was a dire need to take the negotiations to its logical end.

He said Pakistan and Afghanistan shared common religion, culture and history. “This region has been in conflict for the last four decades,” he said, adding that this opportunity must not be missed to restore peace to Afghanistan.

The QWP leader said the stakeholders should move forward cautiously to take the peace initiative to its logical conclusion. The QWP chief said peace in Afghanistan would help bring stability to the region, particularly to Pakistan.

He said the ongoing peace talks between the Taliban and the US should be all-inclusive to help restore viable peace to Afghanistan and the region at large.

Aftab Sherpao said Pakhtuns on both sides of the border had badly suffered during the last 40 years due to bloodshed in the region, adding that strenuous efforts should be made to mitigate the sufferings of the people by restoring peace.