According to the Presidential Palace, President Ashraf Ghani met with Pakistan’s Army Chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa and Gen. Sir Nick Carter, Britain’s Chief of the Defense Staff in Kabul today. Pak-Afghan bilateral ties and the Peace Process were the main components of the discussion. The members also spoke on Pakistan’s position in the Peace Process and the end to violence in Afghanistan.
Pakistan Plays a Critical Role in the Afghan Peace Process
During the meeting, President Ghani stated that the role of countries in the region, especially Pakistan, is critical for peace in Afghanistan due to the Taliban’s influence. He added that the two countries have no choice but to support one another and cooperate economically.
Moreover, President Ghani also acknowledged the fact that the two countries share an interlinked security paradigm. Therefore Pakistan must play a sincere role in ensuring sustainable peace in Afghanistan.
No Military Solution
President Ghani further reiterated that there is no military solution to the Afghan conflict. The Taliban’s insistence on a military solution is unacceptable to Afghans. The Afghan government wants lasting peace through negotiations.
Moreover, Bajwa also met with Abdullah Abdullah, head of the High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR). According to a statement released by Abdullah’s office, Bajwa said that Pakistan also believes that there is no military solution in Afghanistan and that the only way to achieve a Political solution is through negotiations and agreements on the formation of an all-inclusive government.
Subsequently, Abdullah informed that the Taliban want to impose a military solution, which will only prolong the violence and fuel people’s opposition against the group. He further added that the Afghans, the neighboring countries, and the rest of the world, prefer a stable Afghanistan in which the Taliban are a part of the structure. The Head of HCNR reiterated that a military solution is neither possible nor desirable to the Afghan people.
Ultimately, both sides emphasized the importance of substantive talks between the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Taliban.
Permanent and Real Ceasefire
Bajwa’s visit to Kabul coincides with the Taliban’s announcement of a three-day Eid ceasefire. President Ghani has instructed the Afghan forces to comply with the ceasefire. However, he emphasized that there should be an agreement from the Taliban for a permanent and real ceasefire, which is the demand of the people and the government of Afghanistan.
