Kabul committed to reconciliation with Pakistan, Taliban

Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani said Tuesday that peace efforts exerted by his government concentrates on two dimensions, including reconciliation with Pakistan as well as the Taliban group.

The remarks were made during Ghani's meeting with head of UN Security Council Sanctions Committee Kairat Umarov in Kabul on Monday night.

Afghan government has always left the door open to Pakistan for negotiations and that the decision is for Pakistan whether to cooperate positively for regional peace or not, Khaama Press reported, quoting Ghani as saying.

The other government's dimension comprises intra-Afghan negotiations with the Taliban which have proven success before, Ghani noted.

He called on Taliban to denounce violence and terrorist activities, underlining that their insurgency paves the way for the other terrorist groups to start operations in the country.

During his talks with the UN official, Ghani affirmed that practical steps must be taken to eliminate funding sources of terrorism, including the opium trade.

Source: MENA