Monitoring Desk
KABUL: The issue of peace was discussed in most of the formal meetings held between the Afghan and foreign officials in Afghanistan in the past 24 hours.
US special envoy for Afghan peace Dr Zalmay Khalilzad met former president Hamid Karzai, head of High Peace Council, United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), some foreign ambassadors, foreign minister, special envoy of Indonesia, deputy information minister of Germany and Russian special envoy discussed efforts for restoration of peace to Afghanistan.
The peace process has been expedited after the US appointed Dr. Zalmay Khalilzad as special representative for Afghan peace.
The six-day talks between the US and Taliban representatives were concluded in Qatar on last Saturday. After the conclusion of the meetings, Khalilzad came to Kabul where he met Afghan officials.
According to a press release issued by the office of Hamid Karzai, the former president met US special envoy for Afghan peace Dr. Zalmay Khalilzad yesterday.
US ambassador to Afghanistan John R. Bass was also present in the meeting. Both the sides discussed progress made in the Afghan peace process. Hamid Karzai termed peace termed peace as the top priority of the Afghan people. He lauded the efforts of Khalilzad for restoration of peace to Afghanistan. He assured of his all-out efforts in this regard.
Separately, Hamid Karzai met special representative of Qatar’s foreign ministry at his office. Both the sides discussed the Afghan peace process. Hamid Karzai lauded the efforts of Qatar in this regard.
Terming peace as the major wish of Afghan people, Karzai said he would put efforts in this regard.
Meanwhile, Dr. Zalmay Khalilzad met head of High Peace Council Muhammad Karim Khalili, UN special representative for Afghanistan Tadamichi Yamamoto and some other foreign ambassadors.
On his formal Twitter, Khalilzad said he briefed the participants of the meetings about the recent progress made in the peace talks in Qatar. He said the peace diplomacy was not dependent on anyone rather everyone has their share in the process.
Earlier, Khalilzad met President Muhammad Ashraf Ghani and other high-ranking Afghan officials. Khalilzad shared information about their talks with Taliban representatives in Qatar.
Addressing a press conference in Kabul yesterday, Khalilzad said a proper opportunity for restoration of peace existed. He asked the Afghan citizens to keep aside their political differences and put efforts to utilize the opportunity for peace.
He said they had reached at conclusion on some issues during talks with Taliban. However, more work was still needed.
Meanwhile, a press release issued by the foreign ministry stated that Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani met special representative of the deputy president of Indonesia for Afghanistan Hamid Awaluddin.
The Indonesian special envoy stressed on putting efforts for restoration of peace and said his country was ready to host peace talks.
Separately, the Indonesian special representative met deputy head of National Security Council of Afghanistan Hamdullah Mohib. Both the leaders discussed the issue of peace.
In the meantime, Afghan deputy foreign minister Idrees Zaman, who is currently in Germany, yesterday met German foreign minister Niels Annen in Berlin yesterday. Both the leaders discussed the peace process owned and led by the people of Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, special representative of Russian president for Afghanistan and Pakistan Zamir Kabulov paid visit to Islamabad. He met Pakistani officials and discussed the Afghan peace process.
Zamir Kabulov met Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi. He said that he would meet high-ranking military and civilian officials during his two-day visit to Pakistan.
In the meantime, Taliban said in a write-up available on their website that that they would not move back from their demands. They vowed to continue efforts for the establishment of an Islamic setup and independence in the country.
In the write-up, Taliban said some pro-war elements and figures were putting efforts through various ways to sabotage the ongoing peace process and pave way for further extension of the stay of foreign forces in the country.
The Taliban vowed to continue putting efforts through all possible ways to establish an Islamic setup in the country. (AIP)
