Pakistan supports talks between Taliban and Afghan government: Kh Asif

Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif on Thursday extended support to Kabul’s proposed political process seeking to recognise the Taliban as a legitimate political group, and said Pakistan is ready for one-on-one talks with the Afghan Taliban.

“The talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government are actually discussions between two political forces, and Pakistan will support it,” Asif told a group of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor investors today.
“Pakistan is also ready for one-on-one mediation with the Afghan Taliban,” he added,
Asif’s statements come a day after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani at the second Kabul Process conference offered recognition of the Taliban as a political group and asked the group to take part in peace talks “to save the country”.
The offer adds to a series of signals from both the Western-backed government and the Taliban suggesting a greater willingness to consider dialogue.
The Afghan president said the process would be accompanied by coordinated diplomatic support including a global effort to persuade Pakistan, which Kabul has regularly accused of aiding the Taliban, of the advantages of a stable Afghanistan. Ghani also renewed an offer of talks with Pakistan, which Islamabad welcomed.
Commenting on the US’ recent interest in Pak-India dialogue, Asif said, “The US can have an interest in Pak India discussions, but before that it should create some balance in its South Asia policy.”