Afghanistan must seize excellent intra-Afghan dialogue opportunity, FM urges counterpart

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has urged Afghanistan to seize the excellent opportunity and make the intra-Afghan dialogue result-oriented in order to realize the dream of durable peace in Afghanistan.

In a telephonic conversation, Qureshi and his Afghanistan counterpart Mohammad Hanif Atmar discussed bilateral relations and progress on the Afghan peace process.

Qureshi said that the dialogue provides an excellent opportunity for peace and stability in the region and the leadership must seize this opportunity.

He further said that peace in Afghanistan is linked with the peace and stability of the region. Qureshi added that Pakistan will continue its sincere efforts for peace and stability in the region including Afghanistan. Pakistan has announced a new visa policy to facilitate the travel of Afghan people, Qureshi told Atmar.

In recent weeks, violence has raged across Afghanistan even as the Taliban and the government remain engaged in peace talks to end the country's long-running conflict. US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad has demanded an end to the bloodshed, saying that 'Afghans are dying at a high rate, and regional spoilers are using Afghans as cannon fodder for their illegitimate objectives'.