Pakistan welcomes signing of the U.S.-Taliban Peace Agreement

The following is the full and unedited text of a statement received here Sunday from Pakistan High Commission : “In a major development, the U.S. and Taliban signed Peace Agreement in Doha today.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi was present at this occasion, on the invitation of
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar. In his remarks to the media after the
ceremony, the Foreign Minister welcomed the signing of the Peace Agreement and said that
it carried immense importance — both in symbolism and substance — for Afghanistan, the
region and beyond.
Foreign Minister Qureshi said the Peace Agreement reflected a significant step forward by
the U.S. and the Taliban in advancing the ultimate aim of peace and reconciliation in
Afghanistan. He also appreciated personal contribution of His Highness Amir of Qatar to
this process.
The Foreign Minister noted that Intra-Afghan negotiations would be the next logical step
after today’s event. He hoped that the Afghan parties would now seize this historic
opportunity and workout a comprehensive and inclusive political settlement for durable
peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region. He also underlined the need for the
international community to recognize that Afghanistan will require support to commence
reconstruction and rehabilitation phase.
Redrawing the international community’s attention to Afghan refugees in Pakistan, the
Foreign Minister underscored the need to assist the Afghan government in creating an
enabling environment for the return of the refugees to their homeland with dignity and
honour.
Foreign Minister Qureshi reiterated that Pakistan will continue its policy of supporting the
Afghan people in their efforts to achieve lasting peace, stability and development in
Afghanistan.
Today’s ceremony has, once again, vindicated Pakistan’s long-held stance that there is no
military solution of the Afghan conflict. Prime Minister Imran Khan has consistently
underlined that a political settlement is the only way forward.
The Foreign Minister underlined that Pakistan had fulfilled its part of the responsibility in
terms of facilitating this Peace Agreement. Pakistan will continue to support a peaceful,
stable, united, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan, at peace with itself and with its neighbor.” Enditem