Strong govt needed for peace in Afghanistan: Masood

KABUL (Pajhwok): Ahmad Wali Masood, head of the Masood Foundation says a strong government is needed in Kabul for the establishment of peace in Afghanistan.

Ahmad Wali Masood expressed the view while addressing diplomats at the Strategic Studies Centre in Islamabad late on Friday.

Peace in Afghanistan meant peace in Pakistan, said the former ambassador, who in on a three days official visit to Islamabad.

Earlier, he met Prime Minister Imran Khan, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaisar.

He underlined the need for face-to-face talks with Pakistan on various issues, saying a strong Afghan government was important for stability in the conflict-hit country.

Masood said Afghanistan and Pakistan must define their security and economic relations and maintain mutual trust. Cordial relations with Pakistan were vital to peace in Afghanistan, he insisted.

Speaking to journalists after the event, he said youth’s participation in the intra-Afghan negotiations was brief and the Doha process did not represent all Afghans.

Answering a question regarding the withdrawal of foreign troops, he said an immediate pullout of US and coalition forces would leave Afghanistan facing problems. The withdrawal process must be undertaken responsibly, he stressed.

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