Pak offers support for Afghan peace talks in Qatar

Pakistan today offered its full support for the first open face-to-face interaction between Afghan officials and the Taliban during a peace conference in Qatar.
Foreign secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said at a media briefing in Islamabad that Pakistan was for peace in Afghanistan.
Pakistan "fully supports peace talks between the Afghan government and Taliban" being held in Qatar, Chaudhry said and added that establishing peace in Afghanistan was essential for the stability of the region.
His comments came after the Afghan government said a delegation had left for Qatar to attend a conference also being attended by Taliban representatives.
The two sides are expected to hold open discussions during the two-day meeting, which will explore ways to find peace in Afghanistan.

The Afghan Taliban's official spokesperson, Zabiullah Mujahid had also announced an eight-member delegation to attend the conference.
The event is being organised by the Pugwash Council, a non-profit group working to promote peace by ending conflicts.