NEW YORK (Staff Report) – Pakistan’s permanent representative in United Nations Dr Maleeha Lodhi on Thursday said that Pakistan is ready to assist in resumption of stalled peace dialogue with Afghan Taliban however Afghanistan will have to formally request for this.
Speaking at UN General Assembly, Lodhi said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif held meeting with President Ashraf Ghani on the sidelines of Paris Climate Change Conference and emphasized on resumption of talks with insurgent groups for long term peace in Afghanistan. Sharif urged Ghani to resolve internal matters of Afghanistan through through political reconciliation, she added.
Pakistani envoy said that Pakistan had approached Afghan government seeking cooperation prior to operation Zarb-e-Azb. Afghanistan was asked to target those militants who ran away to Afghanistan due to military operation in Pakistani tribal region, she said while urging Afghanistan to take action against these terrorist groups.
On the occasion Dr Maleeha Lodhi also urged Afghan government to mend ties with Pakistan. Kabul needs to stop issuing anti-Pakistan statements and utilize diplomatic channels to resolve any differences, she said.
