Prime Minister Imran Monday reaffirmed Pakistan's readiness to play a 'sincere' role as a 'friend' and as part of the shared responsibility for an early finalisation of Afghan peace deal.

The Prime Minister, according to his media office, was talking to United States Special Representative on Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad who called on him after his arrival earlier in the evening.

"As a sincere facilitator and a friend, Pakistan remains ready to do everything possible in its capacity, as part of a shared responsibility, for early conclusion of a peace deal," the Prime Minister was quoted to have told the top US envoy.

He further said that achieving sustainable peace and security and ensuring long-term development, progress and prosperity in Afghanistan and the region was in Pakistan's best national interest.

Welcoming Ambassador Khalilzad, the Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan's steadfast and sincere support to the Afghan peace and reconciliation process launched since last year.

He also underlined the need to overcome the difficulties in this regard so that an enduring political solution to the Afghan conflict could be achieved at the earliest.

The Prime Minister stressed that it was important for all sides to take practical steps for reduction of violence in Afghanistan.

He further underscored that it was equally important to guard against the negative narratives and efforts by any quarter to undermine the progress made so far through painstaking efforts.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019