US-Taliban talks to reach logical conclusion: Pakistan

Islamabad: Pakistan on Thursday expressed the hope that the US-Taliban peace talks in Qatar would come to logical conclusion leading to intra-Afghan negotiations.

Foreign Office spokesperson Aisha Farooqui said at her weekly briefing in Islamabad US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad discussed the peace process during his recent visit to Pakistan.

She said Pakistan is closely following the developments regarding peace talks between the two parties and believes it is a good improvement that Taliban have shown willingness on talks and called for reduction in violence.

Replying to a question about protest outside the Pakistani embassy in Kabul, she said the government is aware of protests held outside Pakistan embassy in Kabul and the matter has been raised with Afghan authorities.

Earlier embassy officials in Kabul that a group of people have set up a camp in front of the main gate against the arrest of Manzoor Pashteen, leader of the Pakhtun Tahafuz Movement or PTM.

She said the venue for observing the function on Kashmir Solidarity Day at the Pakistan embassy was changed and the concern has been taken up officially with the Afghan government.

An Afghan hotel withdrew plan to allow Pakistan observes Kashmir Day in Kabul on Wednesday when all arrangements were made.

A Pakistani diplomat had alleged that the Afghan authorities had pressurized the hotel management to cancel the programme.

Aisha Farooqui said ceremonies were held at Pakistan’s embassies and high commissions across the globe to mark Kashmir Solidarity Day in a befitting manner aimed at giving message to the world that Pakistan stands by its Kashmiri brethren in their just struggle for right to self-determination.

“These ceremonies were attended by local parliamentarians, intellectuals, leaders of public opinion, civil society activists and people from various strata of life from the host countries, besides Pakistani expatriates.”

The Foreign Office spokesperson said this is an ongoing engagement with the local host government officials and it will continue.

Aisha Farooqui told a questioner that Organization of Islamic Cooperation has been one of the strongest proponents of Kashmir cause and several OIC resolutions have been passed on different aspects of Jammu and Kashmir dispute, including human rights violations taking place there, the legal angle and as well as the peaceful resolution of Kashmir issue in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions.

OIC held ministerial meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in September last year and the independent report issued by it condemned the human rights abuses in the held Kashmir.

On the upcoming visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Islamabad, the Foreign

Office spokesperson said the modalities of the visit are being discussed. It is a scheduled visit of fixed duration.

She said Pakistan and Turkey enjoy warm and cordial relations and both stand by each other in times of need.

She said Pakistan and Turkey support each other on core issues and will work together to solidify the existing ties.

Aisha Farooqui said so far only four Pakistani students have been affected by coronavirus in China and their condition is reported to be stable.

Chinese government is very active and providing all out support to foreign nationals in their country.