Iran, Pakistan call for political settlement of Afghan imbroglio

A credible political process owned and led by Afghanistan is needed to bring about an internal settlement of the conflict in the country, say Pakistan and Iran.

The agreement came during the first round of informal consultations between directors-general of foreign ministries of the two countries in Islamabad on Wednesday.

A military solution to the prolonged conflict in Afghanistan was not possible, the Foreign Office said. Ways of cementing regional economic cooperation and enhancing connectivity were also discussed.

The directors-general reaffirmed support for efforts by Afghanistan and the international community to achieve lasting peace, stability and progress in the war-hit country.

The Pakistan delegation said it attached importance to engagement with Afghanistan in political, security, economic and people-to-people interaction to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation.

Concerted efforts were stressed for counter-terrorism, border management and combating production and trafficking of narcotics.

The two sides also called for the dignified return and resettlement of refugees in Afghanistan. Regional peace and security and the situation in Afghanistan figured prominently at the meeting.