ISLAMABAD: Afghanistan’s top peace official, Abdullah Abdullah, left Islamabad on Wednesday night after a three-day visit that he described as charting a “new path” between Pakistan and Afghanistan, while Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said the two nations “must look forward.”
“Successfully concluded a 3-day official visit,” Abdullah said in a tweet, thanking Prime Minister Imran Khan, President Arif Alvi, the army chief, the speaker of the national assembly, the senate chairman, the foreign minister and other officials “for their warm welcome, hospitality & a new path.”
Successfully concluded a 3-day official visit to the I. R. of Pakistan. I would like to thank excellencies PM @ImranKhanPTI, Dr. @ArifAlvi, @AsadQaiserPTI, MS Sanjrani @OfficeSenate, @SMQureshiPTI, COAS, PAK nation & civil society for their warm welcome, hospitality & a new path. pic.twitter.com/7C7R4aRflb
— Dr. Abdullah Abdullah (@DrabdullahCE) September 30, 2020
“Enjoyed meeting Dr. Abdullah Abdullah,” the Pakistani PM tweeted. “We had a very interesting conversation: theme being the Past is an invaluable teacher to learn from but not to live in. We must look forward toward the future. I wish him all the success in his mission.”
Enjoyed meeting Dr Abdullah Abdullah, Chairman HCNR of Afghanistan. We had a very interesting conversation: theme being the Past is an invaluable teacher to learn from but not to live in. We must look forward towards the future. I wish him all the success in his mission.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) September 30, 2020
Abdullah’s first visit to Pakistan in 12 years comes at a crucial time for Afghanistan as government negotiators sit across the table from the Taliban in Doha to agree to a cease-fire and power-sharing deal to end over two decades of civil war.
As chief of Afghanistan’s High Council for National Reconciliation, Abdullah oversees the government side in negotiations. His visit to Pakistan is seen as particularly significant because of the ties the Taliban have with Pakistan.
Pakistan has been applauded by both Washington and Kabul for its role in getting the Taliban to the peace table, first in direct talks with the United States, which resulted in an agreement that led to the so-called intra-Afghan negotiations now underway in Doha.
