Pakistan, Afghanistan hold first round of talks mediated by Qatar in Doha
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif led the Pakistani delegation, while his Afghan counterpart Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob led Afghan delegation
DOHA. ( WEB NEWS )
Amid the heightened tensions between the two neighbouring countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan held the first round of talks mediated by Qatar in Doha on Saturday.
According to media reports, the next round of Pak-Afghan talks — focusing on cross-border infiltration by militant groups based in Afghanistan — will be held in Doha today (Sunday) morning.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif led the Pakistani delegation, while his Afghan counterpart Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob spearheaded the country’s delegation.
Furthermore, National Security Advisor Lt. Gen. Muhammad Asim Malik is accompanied the defence minister to support the negotiations. Meanwhile, the Afghan intelligence chief is also part of the Afghan delegation.
Pakistan told the Afghan delegation that the presence of militant groups in Afghanistan was “unacceptable”, sources added.
Earlier in the day, Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan has said that a high-level delegation from Pakistan, led by Minister of Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif, will hold discussions with representatives of the Afghan Taliban in Doha.
According to the statement issued by FO Spokesperson, the talks will focus on immediate measures to end cross-border terrorism against Pakistan emanating from Afghanistan and restore peace and stability along the Pak-Afghan border.
Shafqat Ali Khan said that Pakistan does not seek escalation but urges the Afghan Taliban authorities to honour their commitments to the international community and address Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns by taking verifiable action against terrorist entities, including the FAK/TTP and FAH/BLA.
He said that Pakistan appreciates the mediation efforts of Qatar and hopes these discussions contribute to peace and stability in the region.
Earlier, Zabiullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Taliban government, had also confirmed that a high-level delegation from Afghanistan left for peace talks with Pakistan on Saturday in Doha.
“As promised, negotiations with the Pakistani side will take place today in Doha,” Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement, adding that the Kabul team was led by Defence Minister Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob.