Pak reaffirms support for Afghan peace process

Islamabad, May 15 (IANS) Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has reaffirmed his country's support to the Afghan peace process for a sustainable political settlement in the war-torn neighbouring country.The intra-Afghan negotiations provide a historic opportunity to achieve an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement in Afghanistan for ending the long-lasting conflict, Qureshi said during a call on with his Afghan counterpart Mohammad Hanif Atmar, Xinhua news agency reported.He said Pakistan welcomed the announcement of the three-day Eid-ul-Fitr ceasefire by the Afghan parties recently, adding that efforts should continue for a permanent ceasefire.Both sides also agreed to maintain high-level bilateral exchanges and work together for the further consolidation of Pakistan-Afghanistan relations.
--IANS ksk/