KP politicians suggest talks with Kabul

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Pakistan’s mainstream political parties have expressed their support for engagement with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), calling on Islamabad to open discussions with Kabul on security-related issues.

At a marathon meeting with Chief of Army Staff Gen. Syed Asim Munir in Peshawar on Monday, political figures voiced their concerns over the current law and order situation in the province.

Representatives of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N), Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), QaumiWatan Party (QWP) took part in the meeting.

Dawn quoted sources privy to the discussions as saying that all political leaders favoured engagement with the caretaker Afghan government.

The politicians were told that they must take ownership of the situation in the province, where intelligence-based actions would be stepped up.

Meanwhile, a statement from the army’s media wing confirmed Gen. Munir’s interaction with KP politicians from different parties.

Gen. Munir was also briefed on the prevailing security environment in the province.Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur also attended the briefing.

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