ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said Islamabad was ready to talk with Afghanistan following recent hostilities between the two countries.
Addressing the federal cabinet today, the premier stated that Pakistan is ready to hold talks if Kabul agrees to fulfil Pakistan’s justified conditions.
“Yesterday we decided the temporary 48-hour ceasefire [and] the message has been sent that if they want to fulfil our justified conditions through talks, then we are ready. The ball is in their court.”
He added that if the Afghan side was sincere and serious, then it would initiate steps to hold talks, adding that Pakistan’s allied nations, particularly Qatar, were also making efforts to resolve the situation.
The premier expressed hope that the latest situation between the two countries would be resolved on a long-term basis, including the elimination of the Fitna al-Khawarij from Afghan soil, so the neighbouring country’s territory would no longer be used by terrorists.
PM Shehbaz reiterated his hope that the ceasefire be maintained for the future based on “solid demands”. “If this was only done to buy time, then we won’t accept it,” the premier warned.
He elaborated that officials from Pakistan had visited Kabul many times and engaged in cordial dialogue on resolving their issues together with mutual agreement for the sake of peace and prosperity.
“Unfortunately, despite all efforts, this was not possible, and when this attack was ongoing on Pakistan, on India’s complete incitement, their (Afghan) Foreign Minister [Amir] Muttaqi was in New Delhi, so we were forced to give a comprehensive response.”
The premier said the Qatari emir had condemned the entire episode in talks with him in Egypt and expressed his desire to play a role in cooling down tensions.
Shehbaz also commended the armed forces and Field Marshal Asim Munir for their response to the Afghan side during the conflict, saying it was “necessary” to do so due to the many martyrdoms suffered by the security forces in operations against terrorists.
