Pakistan army chief urges all stakeholders to ‘positively’ play role for Afghan peace

A delegation of Taliban officials led by the group's chief negotiator during a conference marking a century of diplomatic relations between Afghanistan and Russia on May 28, 2019 in Moscow. (AFP/File)

• Says “misperceptions and scapegoating must be avoided to counter designs of spoilers”
• Pakistan’s special envoy for Afghan peace is visiting Doha to participate in Troika Plus meetings

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa has urged all stakeholders’ in Afghanistan to ‘positively’ play their role to ensure peace and stability in the war-torn country, as Taliban fighters press on with their offensive that US intelligence believes could see them take over the Afghan capital of Kabul within 90 days.
The chief’s comments come while Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq, Pakistan’s special envoy for Afghan peace, is visiting Doha to participate in the Regional Conference on Afghanistan and a two-day meeting of the Troika Plus mechanism. 
The Troika is a platform to discuss Afghanistan led by the United States, China, Russia. Its meetings come three weeks before the August 31 date that Washington set for the official withdrawal of its military forces in Afghanistan.
“Reinforcing Pakistan’s vision for peace, connectivity and shared prosperity, COAS [army chief] said we have made every possible effort to facilitate Afghan Peace Process leading toward a negotiated settlement with utmost sincerity and will continue to do so,” the army’s media wing said in a statement on Wednesday.
“Being a collective responsibility, all stakeholders have to play their part positively for enduring peace in Afghanistan which is pivotal for stability in the region. Misperceptions and scapegoating must be avoided to counter designs of spoilers, COAS emphasised.”
Ambassador Sadiq said on Thursday Pakistan had a “productive” meeting at the troika platform on Wednesday. 
“We had a productive meeting of Extended Troika in Doha involving Pakistan, US, China and Russia also including meetings with Afghan sides reflecting our shared commitment to pursue a negotiated political settlement,” he said in a tweet.

On 11 August we had a productive meeting of Extended Troika in Doha involving Pakistan, US, China and Russia also including meetings with Afghan sides reflecting our shared commitment to pursue a negotiated political settlement ⁦⁦@ForeignOfficePk⁩ ⁦@PakinAfg⁩ pic.twitter.com/MiFMAWo7oT

— Mansoor Ahmad Khan (@ambmansoorkhan) August 11, 2021