US, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan: Support group for Afghanistan peace process set up

ISLAMABAD: The United States, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan announced a new Quad Regional Support group for Afghanistan peace process.

“Representatives of the United States, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan agreed in principle to establish a new quadrilateral diplomatic platform focused on enhancing regional connectivity,” the Foreign Office said.

“The parties consider long-term peace and stability in Afghanistan is critical to regional-connectivity and agree that peace and regional connectivity and mutually reinforcing,” it added.

“Recognising the historic opportunity to open flourishing international trade routes, the parties intend to cooperate to expand trade, build transit links and strengthen business-to-business ties,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan on Friday strongly rejected the allegations of Afghanistan’s Vice President Amrullah Saleh against Pakistan Air Force (PAF) trying to help Taliban.

The Afghan vice president Thursday had accused the PAF of warning Afghan security forces that it would retaliate against any move to dislodge Taliban fighters in the strategic border region of Spin Boldak. The Foreign Office said the "Pakistan Air Force never communicated anything to the Afghan Air Force".

Giving background of the situation, the Foreign Office said the Afghan side conveyed to Pakistan its intention of carrying out air operation inside its (Afghanistan) territory opposite of the Pakistan’s Chaman Sector. The FO said Pakistan responded positively to Afghan government’s right to act in its territory.

In spite of very close border operations normally not acceded to by internationally accepted norms and standards, Pakistan took necessary measures within its territory to safeguard its own troops and population.

The FO said Pakistan "acknowledged the Afghan government’s right to undertake actions on its sovereign territory".

"However, as alleged by the Afghan vice president, PAF never communicated anything to the Afghan Air Force," it said.

The FO said such statements undermined Pakistan’s sincere efforts to play its part in an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led solution. Pakistan lately rescued 40 Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF) ranks, who fled to Pakistan and returned them to Afghanistan with respect and dignity, with a declared offer to ANDSF to provide all logistical support as requested.