Qureshi urges Afghan leaders to sit together for peace

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Wednesday once again reiterated that peace talks are the only way forward for lasting peace in Afghanistan.

In a Television interview, the foreign minister said, “whether the US decides to sit or not, it is the Afghans that had to sit together to resolve the issue.”

In addition, he said that Pakistan would not side with any parties in the Afghan conflict and would stand alongside the decision taken by the people of the country.

The Afghan Taliban should also think that they could not move forward solely and no government could withstand the public opinion, he added.

“Anyone neglecting the power of public will be committing a grave mistake,” he added.

While calling for all Afghan sides to sit together, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that any peace offer from the Taliban would be welcomed.