ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif on Monday met the Qatari leadership to discuss Afghan reconciliation process.
The army chief, who is in Doha on an official visit, held separate meetings with Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad and Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Naseer and discussed the Arab country’s cooperation in Afghan reconciliation, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
The two sides deliberated upon matters relating to regional security and enhanced bilateral defence cooperation, the statement said.
Qatari leadership reiterated that Pakistan and Qatar shared brotherly relations which over a period of time were transforming into strategic and mutually beneficial ties. While expressing their satisfaction at the level of defence relations between armed forces of both countries, both sides underscored the importance of further enhancing the cooperation. The leadership of Qatar acknowledged Pakistan’s role in bringing about regional stability and appreciated Pakistan Army’s efforts in countering terrorism and bringing peace in the region.
The visit is seen as crucial as it came just a day before the next round of the quadrilateral meeting in Kabul that is likely to set a date for formal talks between the Taliban and Afghan government.
The Taliban have their political office in Qatar and leaders of the movement insist the office has been authorised to hold political negotiations.
General Raheel also held meetings with Minister for Defence Affairs Doctor Khalid Bin Muhammad and Major General Muhammad Bin Ali al Ghanim, commander Qatari Emiri Land Force (QELF) during his visit.
The army chief has been involved in consultation with Afghan leaders about the peace process during his series of visits to Kabul. Last week, he received Afghan ambassador Dr Omar Zakhilwal and assured his full support to the peace process.
On February 6, the third round of the four-nation process in its meeting in Islamabad had agreed to approach the Taliban office in Qatar to encourage them to join the reconciliation process.
The date for resumption of direct talks between Kabul and Taliban is likely to be announced this week when senior officials from Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the United States sit together as part of ongoing efforts to strike a peace deal in the war-torn country.
The fourth meeting of the Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) is set to take place in the Afghan capital on Tuesday (today).
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