TASHKENT, Uzbekistan: A Taliban delegation reached the Uzbek Capital Tashkent for talks aimed at boosting efforts to bring peace in the neighboring war-stricken Afghanistan.
As per the Official Website of the Uzbekistan’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, the delegation of the Political Office of Taliban in Doha, Qatar, leaded by its head Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai visited Uzbekistan.
“The delegation of Taliban was received at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The sides exchanged views on prospects of the peace process in Afghanistan,” the Uzbekistan’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said.
This development is the outcome of Tashkent Conference on Afghanistan which was held on March 27, 2018 under the title of “Peace Process, Security Cooperation and Regional Connectivity”.
The Conference was attended by representatives of 24 Countries and International Organizations, aimed at finding a solution to the Afghan conflict.
It was an utmost desire of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to bring Taliban to the table for establishing peace and stability in Afghanistan, and he offered his Country for negotiations at the end of the Tashkent Conference.
It is pertinent to mention that the Afghan President Ashraf Ghani during this Conference expressed his confidence over Uzbekistan to host any talks with Taliban for the better future of the region.
The Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was of the view that there was a need of collective pressure on Taliban to avail this opportunity to shun violence and join the peace process. Uzbekistan took a number of confidence building measures with the Afghan people and the government, and provided wheat and edibles to drought hit areas of Afghanistan.
The former National Security Advisor (NSA) of Pakistan Lt. General (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua was of the view that is (was) one of the greatest achievements of the regional players, and the Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev wrote a new chapter of history for successfully taking such excellent and positive initiative. He said that Uzbekistan is very important regional player and always wishes for collective initiatives, regional connectivity and shared future.
“Pakistan and Uzbekistan have collectively been working for enhancing regional connectivity and believe that peace in Afghanistan can be brought through proactive role of regional partners. I believe these negotiations would bring fruit and will pave a way for better connectivity and shared future. Central Asian countries are victims of on-going civil war in Afghanistan that has barred regional connectivity since ages. Peace in Afghanistan would change the fate and future of this region which is full of opportunities and resources”, said former National Security Advisor (NSA) of Pakistan Gen (r) Nasser Khan Janjua when asked to comment over this meeting.
It may be mentioned that the former NSA General (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua had been proactive for bringing peace into the region, and had been emphasizing over regional connectivity and finding solution for Afghan peace through regional perspectives.
Lt General (retd) Janjua would be remembered for breaking ice with Afghanistan and shunning misunderstandings which were harming Pak-Afghan bilateral relations. He worked hard to decrease trust deficit between the two neighbouring Countries.
