Pakistani, British Top Officials Back Afghan-led Peace Process

Islamabad, July 1, IRNA – The visiting British Prime Minister, David Cameron and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari supported the Afghan-led peace and reconciliation process. Cameron arrived in Islamabad Saturday evening after his two-day visit to Afghanistan where he met British soldiers and held talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai on the peace process. Spokesperson for the President Senator Farhatullah Babar while briefing reporters said that two rounds of talks were held one at the delegation level and the other at one in a meeting. Pak-UK bilateral relations and the regional situation were discussed during the meetings with special reference to some recent developments aimed at bringing peace to the neighboring country. The spokesperson said that both leaders supported reconciliation process in Afghanistan and promised to play their role for a peaceful Afghanistan. Discussing regional situation, the President recalled the three Trilateral Summits that were facilitated by United Kingdom and appreciated its role towards promoting reconciliation in Afghanistan. President Zardari said that Pakistan is a staunch supporter of peace and stability in Afghanistan and it would continue to support every effort aimed at restoring sustainable and long-term peace to the war-torn country. The British Prime Minister on the very outset of the meeting congratulated the President for overseeing a smooth transition from one democracy to another and observed that the smooth transition of the Government reflected a measure of maturity achieved by the country and augurs well for further strengthening of democratic traditions in the country. He reiterated that Pakistan considers regional peace and security vital for its own socio-economic interests and it would continue to support every effort aimed at restoring peace, stability and development to Afghanistan and in the region. The President emphasized that Pakistan all along has maintained a constructive approach and believes that dialogue and reconciliation was the only way forward towards ensuring durable peace in Afghanistan. The President welcomed efforts being made for finding a peaceful solution to the long drawn conflict in Afghanistan. He expressed the hope that the efforts made would also take into account legitimate concerns of all the stakeholders./end