ISLAMABAD, 28 December, 2020, (TON): Pakistan on Sunday expressed concern about the spike in violence in Afghanistan and reiterates its commitment for lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan

The foreign ministry of Pakistan said “the Afghan peace process is making encouraging progress towards a political solution of the conflict,” and “we are concerned about some negative comments which continue to emanate from certain official as well as unofficial Afghan circles.”

The foreign ministry said Pakistan continued to "express its deep concern at the increasing level of violence" in Afghanistan during the current year and Prime Minister Imran Khan, on several occasions, has reiterated his calls for reduction in violence leading to a cease-fire.

"It is important to underline the need for Afghan government to take proactive measures to fulfill its responsibility for internal security, law and order and protection of Afghan lives," a foreign ministry statement said.

The statement said Pakistan stands ready to expand all possible cooperation in the area of security and effective border management through effective institutional collaboration.

The statement said “as the negotiations enter an important and critical phase from 5 January 2021, the negotiators will be focusing on the substantive issues relating to a comprehensive future political settlement.”

“In this delicate phase of the Intra-Afghan Negotiations, it is important for the negotiating parties to avoid accusations and to demonstrate wisdom, sagacity and vision for the larger objective of lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan,” it added.

The statement recalled that Pakistan has continued to emphasize that there is no military solution to the Afghan conflict, and solution of the conflict through a political process is the only way forward. "Towards this end, Pakistan has been engaged in serious efforts to facilitate an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned peace process," the statement said.

Pakistan needs to continue its role as a facilitator by adopting a concrete foreign policy in Afghanistan and continues to monitor the socio-economic and political landscape to mitigate the effects of the challenges in Afghan-led and Afghan-owned Peace Process.