PESHAWAR: The Qaumi Watan Party chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao has said peace in the country is linked to stability in Afghanistan, and urged all the stakeholders to play their role in restoration of peace in the neighboring country.

He expressed these views during a meeting with outgoing Afghan Ambassador Shukrullah Atif Mashal here on Tuesday, according to a statement.

QWP provincial general secretary Hashim Babar was also present.

Mr Sherpao said concerted efforts should be made to bring peace to Afghanistan, which had been in conflict for last four decades. He asked Islamabad to cement diplomatic and trade relations with Kabul to improve the bilateral trade volume and strengthen regional economy.

Talking about the prevailing situation in Afghanistan, the QWP leader said peace in Pakistan was linked to stability in Afghanistan.

Mr Sherpao said the negotiations should be all-inclusive to seek the input from all stakeholders to restore viable peace to the war-torn country.

The QWP chief added that Islamabad should promote people-to-people and government-to-government contacts with Kabul.

Published in Dawn, August 12th, 2020