ISLAMABAD: In a joint press
statement released late on Wednesday, Pakistan, in a bid to support
peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan and answering requests
of the Afghan government, high peace council, agreed to release a number
of high profile Taliban detainees.
Though details of who would be released were not immediately
available, with the Afghans wanting the release of Mullah Abdul Ghani
Baradar as the two sides appealed to the Taliban and other armed
opposition groups to participate in the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned
reconciliation process to end violence.
The Joint Press Statement between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
the High Peace Council of Afghanistan issued after visit of the Afghan
Peace Council to Pakistan stated that all concerned countries including
Pakistan, Afghanistan and USA will facilitate safe passage to potential
negotiators to advance the reconciliation process.
Pakistan and Afghanistan will work closely with other international
partners to remove the names from the UN sanctions list of the potential
negotiators amongst Taliban and other groups to enable them to
participate in peace talks.
The two sides agreed to jointly work for holding an Ulema Conference
which will include religious scholars from Pakistan, Afghanistan and
other Islamic countries. The conference could either be held in Saudi
Arabia, Afghanistan, Pakistan or any other Islamic country.
The Ulema Conference would address the issue of rising militancy and
suicide attacks in the name of religion and the defamation of our
glorious and peaceful religion Islam due to its unjustified linkage with
terrorism.
Pakistan and the High Peace Council called on the Taliban and other
armed groups to sever all links with al Qaeda, and other international
terror networks.
Closer bilateral ties
The two sides recognised that close and consistent cooperation
between Afghanistan and Pakistan is key to building trust and confidence
between the two countries and strengthening joint bilateral efforts in
promoting peace and stability as well as overcoming the ongoing trends
of violence and extremism.
They called for long term and consistent mutual cooperation based on
mutual interest and respect. The two sides stressed that talking to and
maligning each other through media leaves little space for serious
dialogue.
Therefore, all government officials and spokespersons should refrain from making hostile statements and avoid blame game.
Cross-border incursions
The High Peace Council and Pakistani authorities discussed the issue
of cross-border incursions and shelling. It was decided to discuss ways
and means to create conducive conditions and initiating bilateral
mechanisms that would completely end the cross-border shelling. The
contacts between Pakistan Army and Afghan National Army in this regard
were lauded and encouraged.
To initiate an effective mechanism in order to facilitate consistent
and practical steps, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan and the
High Peace Council of Afghanistan agreed to have more frequent contacts
to enhance peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region.
A high level delegation of the High Peace Council led by chairman
Salahuddin Rabbani visited Islamabad between November 12 and 15, 2012,
upon the invitation of Hina Rabbani Khar, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The delegation called on President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime
Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf and met Foreign Minister and General Ashfaq
Kayani the Chief of Army Staff.
The delegation also held meetings with Pakistan’s religious and
political leaders. Both sides had an extensive exchange of views
including briefing by the Pakistan authorities on the investigation of
the assassination of Shaheed Ustad Burhanuddin Rabbani.
The HPC delegation briefed the Pakistan side on the progress made in
the peace and reconciliation process and underlined the importance of
Pakistan’s role in this regard. Pakistan supports Afghanistan’s vision
and roadmap for achieving durable and lasting peace in Afghanistan.