Pakistan and Iran on Monday underscored the need for a
politically negotiated settlement of the Afghan conflict, besides
calling for regional solutions for local problems.
This
agreement between the two neighbours was renewed during Pakistani Foreign Minister
Khawaja Asif’s daylong trip to Tehran for meetings with Iranian
President Hassan Rouhani and Foreign Minister Dr Javad Zarif.
The Pakistan
Foreign Office said in a statement at the conclusion of Mr Asif’s visit
that the two foreign ministers "agreed that there was no military
solution to the conflict in Afghanistan and a politically negotiated
settlement was imperative for lasting peace in Afghanistan. … regional
countries have vital stakes in stability in Afghanistan and should play a
more proactive role in the peace efforts”.
Tehran was
the second destination in FM Asif’s regional trip for ‘political
consultations’ on Afghanistan after US President Trump last month
unveiled the new regional policy that focuses more on kinetic operations
for militarily stifling Taliban insurgency than seeking a negotiated
outcome. The foreign minister last week visited Beijing, where leaders
agreed with the Pakistani position that "continued efforts for a
politically negotiated settlement” were needed.
