Asfandyar calls for lasting ceasefire in Afghanistan

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok) The Awami National Party (ANP) has underlined the need for a comprehensive ceasefire to put an end to bloodshed in Afghanistan.

Asfandyar Wali Khan, president of the Pakhtun nationalist party, welcomed the announcement of US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan by September 11 this year.

In in a statement issued here on Sunday, the ANP chief hoped all stakeholders would sit together to devise a future strategy for the restoration of peace and development in the country.

While stressing an end to a war that killed and displaced millions of people, he called for all stakeholders, including Pakistan, to play an effective role in bringing peace to the region.

Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace talks offered the best hope for an end the prolonged war, believed the outspoken politician.

He commended Kabul’s stand that the Afghan forces would fully defend their homeland. The ANP would never support handing over Afghanistan to a violent group, he promised.

Since peace was equally important for both, Afghanistan and Pakistan should improve diplomatic relations, Asfandyar suggested.

Reiterating support for the government in Kabul, the ANP chief hoped the peace process would benefit the long-suffering citizens of the country.

pr/mud