Talks with Taliban a futile exercise, says Massoud

KABUL (Pajhwok): President’s special advisor for reforms and good governance Ahmad Zia Massoud has termed peace talks with the Taliban “as a useless exercise and an opportunity for Pakistan to promote its interests.”

Speaking at a gathering here, Massoud said the conflict in Afghanistan was in the interest of Pakistan and therefore the neighboring country was fueling insurgency in Afghanistan.

He believed Pakistan could not serve its interests in the presence of a strong government in Kabul.

Pakistan would be pleased with a weak government in Afghanistan in order to get maximum benefits from mineral and water resources of the war-torn country, he believed.

The presidential advisor said access to information was vital and it was media’s responsibility to keep the people updated.

At the end, Massoud gave away appreciation certificates to different reporters, including Pajhwok Afghan News reporter Mohammad Humayun Zaheen.

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