Doha (Web Desk): Historic peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban seeking to end 19 years of war began in Doha, Qatar on Saturday.
while kicking off the opening ceremony, Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said that the warring sides must "rise above all form of division by reaching an agreement on the basis of no victor and no vanquished".
Speaking on the occasion, US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo urged the rival sides to utilize this opportunity to secure peace for the sake of future generations in Afghanistan.
Expressing his views, the Afghan government's top negotiator, Abdullah Abdullah, said the history of our country will remember today as the end of the war and suffering of our people.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that the commencement of Intra-Afghan talks is fruit of Pakistan and Afghanistan's combined efforts.
Addressing the opening ceremony of Intra-Afghan Negotiations through video link, he said Pakistan has long maintained that there is no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan. Political solution is the only way forward.
We are gratified that our perspective is now widely shared across the international community, FM Qureshi said, adding that Pakistan has fulfilled its part of the responsibility.
“It is now for the Afghan leaders to seize this historic opportunity, work together constructively, and secure an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement,” he asserted.
FM Qureshi said that spoilers, from within and from without, will pose formidable challenges. Constant vigilance will be required to guard against their machinations.
Qureshi reassured that Pakistan will always be in full support and solidarity with Afghans as they continue their momentous journey on the path of peace, security and development.
He said Pakistan will always support a peaceful, stable, united, democratic, prosperous and sovereign Afghanistan, at peace with itself and with its neighbours.
