KABUL – Several Afghan politicians, including Hizb-e-Islami leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, former Balkh governor Atta Mohammad Noor, second deputy chief executive Mohammad Mohaqeq headed to Pakistan on Friday to attend a peace conference.
The Afghan leaders, who would attend the meeting in which some members of the Taliban are also said to take part, also include presidential candidate Abdul Latif Pedram, High Peace Council Chairman Mohammad Karim Khalili, presidential candidate Mohammad Haneef Atmar, former vice president Mohammad Yunus Qanooni, former governor Ismail Khan and Jamiat-e-Islami member Ahmad Zia Massoud, Tolo News reported.
The conference titled ‘Lahore Process’ would be held in the scenic town of Bhurban and Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi will address its inaugural session; in all, fifty seven delegates are expected to attend the moot.
The Lahore Process will discuss different areas including connectivity, trade, economy and health besides the issue of repatriation of Afghan refugees who have been living in Pakistan for the last four decades.
The delegates will give proposals on the future course of action for Afghanistan; the conference will provide an opportunity to increase people to people contact between Pakistan and Afghanistan and will increase confidence building between the two neighbors.
The participants will also call on Prime Minister Imran Khan while President Dr. Arif Alvi will host a banquet in honor of delegates.
The conference is being held ahead of the visit of Afghan President, Ashraf Ghani who is scheduled to visit Pakistan next Thursday.
Meanwhile, former president Hamid Karzai will not attend the meeting due to a limited time for preparations, his office said and thanked Pakistan for hosting the meeting adding that he will visit the neighboring country in another opportunity.
