Zarif stresses negotiated end to Afghan conflict

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Iran has urged regional countries to work together for ending to the long-running conflict in Afghanistan through substantive negotiations.

Heading a 49-member delegation to Pakistan, Iranian Foreign Minister Dr. Javad Zarif underlined the need for a regional approach to bring stability to Afghanistan.

Speaking at the Institute of Strategic Studies in Islamabad on Monday, he said the so-called Islamic State militant group posed a threat to the region. He also accused the US of aiding the terrorist group.

The US was not interested in bringing peace to Afghanistan, he alleged. “I believe that the US is not interested in the stability of our region. It was only interested in promoting its own short-sighted objectives.”

Zarif also held formal talks with Foreign Minister Khawja Asif and called on Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. The two sides discussed bilateral ties as well as the situation in Afghanistan.

Iran endorsed Pakistan’s stance on a negotiated solution to the Afghan conflict. Pakistan and Iran should use their influence to help Afghanistan restart dialogue with Afghanistan, he proposed.

Zarif hoped the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline would be completed and banking relations between the neighbours would resume and the Free Trade Agreement would be signed.

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