ISLAMABAD, 17 December 2020, (TON): Prime Minister on Wednesday held a telephonic conversation with President Ashraf Ghani to discuss on-going progress pertaining peace talks and, to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries as the Taliban delegation met Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

The Taliban delegation is scheduled to meet the prime minister during their three-day trip. The visit is taking place on Pakistan’s invitation as part of Islamabad’s efforts for outreach to all Afghan stakeholders for a peaceful settlement of the conflict, the Foreign Office said.

‘’The Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s steadfast support for the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process for a political solution to the conflict in Afghanistan,’’ Prime Minister Office said in a statement. Adding, ‘’ In this regard, the Prime Minister welcomed the recent progress in the Intra-Afghan Negotiations in Doha.’’

‘’Prime Minister Imran Khan underlined that Pakistan's outreach to all Afghan stakeholders was part of its facilitative efforts to ensure progress towards an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement,’’ the statement further reads.

‘’The latest visit of Taliban Political Commission (TPC) to Pakistan is also in this context. The Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan's call on all the Afghan sides for taking measures for reduction in violence leading to ceasefire,’’ adds the statement.

Meanwhile, ‘’The two leaders agreed to continue their engagement for supporting the peace process and enhancing bilateral cooperation,’’ the statement concluded.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Qureshi have had a meeting with the Taliban delegation led by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, also included Sheikh Abdul Hakeem among others, the group’s top negotiators for peace talks with the Afghan government.