ISLAMABAD, Jun 17 (APP): UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Afghanistan and Regional Issues Jean Arnault Thursday met Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood and exchanged views on latest developments in Afghan peace process and the way forward.
The Foreign Secretary briefed Arnault on Pakistan’s consistent policy of support to Afghan peace process, forging closer Pakistan-Afghanistan bilateral relationship, and facilitating economic integration and regional connectivity.
Reiterating Pakistan’s long-held view that there was no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan, the foreign secretary reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong desire for a peaceful political settlement in Afghanistan, which was the only way forward.
FS Sohail Mahmood received UNSG Personal Envoy Mr. Jean Arnault. Exchanged views on Afghan peace process; reaffirmed Pakistan’s consistent support; underlined efforts for cooperative bilateral relationship; and stressed importance of economic integration & regional connectivity pic.twitter.com/10PiSODCSQ
— Spokesperson 🇵🇰 MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) June 17, 2021
He also underlined that securing a negotiated political settlement would require sustained and constructive engagement as well as flexibility by the Afghan leaders.
The foreign secretary expressed concern over the high incidence of violence in Afghanistan and stressed that all sides must work for immediate reduction in violence, leading to ceasefire.
In the context of regional mechanisms, the foreign secretary emphasized that the “Troika Plus” format brought together all major stakeholders to help promote meaningful progress in the Afghan peace process.
The foreign secretary reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to safe and dignified return of Afghan refugees to their homeland under a time-bound and well-resourced road-map supported by the international community.