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Ghani Says ‘Peace With Pakistan Before Taliban’

President Ashraf Ghani said at a press conference on Tuesday that Afghanistan needs peace with Pakistan before peace can be forged with the Taliban.

He said Pakistan also needs to stop interfering in Afghanistan’s internal affairs and instead cooperate with the National Unity Government (NUG). 

Ghani stated that Afghanistan and Pakistan have so far not finalized the memorandum of  understanding on the exchange of intelligence.

“The factory of interference must be closed in Afghanistan. In establishing peace, at first we want peace with Pakistan; peace with the Taliban comes next,” said Ghani.

This comes after China, Afghanistan and Pakistan recently agreed to form a foreign minister’s dialogue mechanism with the aim of improving relationships between Kabul and Islamabad.

The three countries also agreed to revive the Quadrilateral Coordination Group in order to pave the way for peace talks with the Taliban.

However, Ghani’s remarks on Tuesday indicates that the situation between Pakistan and Afghanistan has not changed and that the relationship is still fragile.

Ghani said Pakistan has two options; to use economic opportunities that Afghanistan’s location provides or to interfere in Afghanistan’s affairs - and that if they choose the latter, the international community needs to increase pressure on Pakistan.

Ghani also sent out a message to the Taliban to join the peace process. 

“Taliban used to say in the past that they had time and the westerners had watches. Today with all due respect to the voice of the people, I say that the Taliban are running out of the time; and they should buy a watch,” Ghani stated.

Meanwhile, a number of MPs and senators said they do not think Pakistan will cooperate with Afghanistan.

“They (Taliban) are a symbol for (Pakistan’s) ISI and CIA. They (ISI and CIA) are working together on this,” said Nazar Mohammad Faqiri, a member of Meshrano Jirga (Upper House of Parliament).

Ghani Says ‘Peace With Pakistan Before Taliban’

The president said that Pakistan needs to stop interfering in Afghanistan’s affairs and start cooperating with government

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President Ashraf Ghani said at a press conference on Tuesday that Afghanistan needs peace with Pakistan before peace can be forged with the Taliban.

He said Pakistan also needs to stop interfering in Afghanistan’s internal affairs and instead cooperate with the National Unity Government (NUG). 

Ghani stated that Afghanistan and Pakistan have so far not finalized the memorandum of  understanding on the exchange of intelligence.

“The factory of interference must be closed in Afghanistan. In establishing peace, at first we want peace with Pakistan; peace with the Taliban comes next,” said Ghani.

This comes after China, Afghanistan and Pakistan recently agreed to form a foreign minister’s dialogue mechanism with the aim of improving relationships between Kabul and Islamabad.

The three countries also agreed to revive the Quadrilateral Coordination Group in order to pave the way for peace talks with the Taliban.

However, Ghani’s remarks on Tuesday indicates that the situation between Pakistan and Afghanistan has not changed and that the relationship is still fragile.

Ghani said Pakistan has two options; to use economic opportunities that Afghanistan’s location provides or to interfere in Afghanistan’s affairs - and that if they choose the latter, the international community needs to increase pressure on Pakistan.

Ghani also sent out a message to the Taliban to join the peace process. 

“Taliban used to say in the past that they had time and the westerners had watches. Today with all due respect to the voice of the people, I say that the Taliban are running out of the time; and they should buy a watch,” Ghani stated.

Meanwhile, a number of MPs and senators said they do not think Pakistan will cooperate with Afghanistan.

“They (Taliban) are a symbol for (Pakistan’s) ISI and CIA. They (ISI and CIA) are working together on this,” said Nazar Mohammad Faqiri, a member of Meshrano Jirga (Upper House of Parliament).

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