Pak facilitating US-Taliban peace talks: Qureshi

Islamabad: Pakistan is facilitating the ongoing peace talks between the US and the Taliban as a shared responsibility and in good faith, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi told Russia's Special Representative on Afghanistan.

Qureshi held talks with Zamir Kabulov, Russia's Special Representative on Afghanistan, in Islamabad during which he appreciated the growing international consensus on the need to settle the decades old conflict through political process.

"Pakistan is facilitating the ongoing talks between the US and the Taliban as a shared responsibility and in good faith," Qureshi told Kabulov.

Qureshi also hoped that the talks will result in an intra-Afghan dialogue leading to lasting peace in the country.

Highlighting the role of neighbours and the regional countries in the peace process, he lauded the important contributions Russia had made in the Afghan peace process including through Moscow Format of Consultations.

Appreciating close coordination and regular engagements on regional issues and Afghan peace process, Kabulov said that Russia and Pakistan were important stakeholders in peace and stability in Afghanistan.

"It was in the shared interest of both the countries to support all efforts for peace and stability in the country through close coordination," he said.

He greatly appreciated Pakistan's role as a facilitator in the Afghan peace process.

The two sides agreed to continue regular consultations on Afghan peace process and support regional initiatives to bring lasting peace in Afghanistan and the region, the Foreign Office said.

It said that Kabulov also held in-depth consultations with the foreign secretary on regional political situation and Afghan peace process.