No favorites in Afghanistan: Misquoting FM remarks regarding Taliban regrettable; Zahid Hafeez

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has once again stated that it has no favorites in Afghanistan and it sees all sides in the conflict as Afghans who need to decide about their future themselves.

Responding to the queries of media persons, Foreign Office Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said Pakistan will continue to play a constructive role in Afghan peace process.

In a statement MOFA Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said “It is regrettable that certain sections of the media have misquoted and twisted the Foreign Minister’s remarks about the need for peace and stability in Afghanistan through an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process.

In fact, the Foreign Minister clearly spoke about consensus among the international community, the regional players and the Afghans themselves against the menace of terrorism. His remarks cannot be in anyway being misconstrued as advocacy for a particular side in the Afghan conflict, he added.

Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said that we have repeatedly stated that Pakistan has no favourites in Afghanistan. We see all sides in the conflict as Afghans who need to decide about their future themselves. We will continue to play a constructive facilitation role in the Afghan peace process.

FO Spokesperson said Pakistan would once again reiterate that right now all energies should be focused on finding an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement to the conflict in Afghanistan.”