Pakistan Continues Efforts For Peace In Afghanistan.

ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan continues to play a role to ensure lasting peace in Afghanistan as the United States has resumed drone strikes to target its foes in the war-torn country.

Pakistan has until now dissociated itself with the recent US drone strike that targeted the Al-Qaeda chief Ayman Al-Zawahiri. Pakistan said its soil was not used for the drone attack.

Pakistan had played an important role in US-Afghan Taliban talks that led to the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan.

Last year, many Pakistanis were pleased with the new state of affairs in Afghanistan, as the Ashraf Ghani-led government collapsed during the US withdrawal, leaving Taliban to continue capturing vast swaths of the country, ultimately seizing control of Kabul. The West was however, unhappy.

The Afghan wars have imposed a heavy cost on Pakistan. Extremism and terrorism emanating from these conflicts have also hurt the Gulf region, particularly Saudi Arabia.

Therefore, Pakistan and the Gulf nations have a common interest in a peaceful Afghanistan. They want the US and its Western allies to join hands in dealing with its current humanitarian crisis, which, if not addressed quickly, could spiral into another conflict and wave of transnational terrorism.

Pakistan also needs peace amid the economic crises. The new government is struggling to overcome an acute economic crisis by meeting tough conditions imposed by the International Monetary Fund. This has caused severe inflation.

Pakistan expects Saudi Arabia, the UAE and China to additionally shore up its national reserves, once the IMF deal is in place. Saudi Arabia could also act as a via media for Pakistan's economic and security re-engagement with the US.

Given its own interest in China's investment and trade, the Kingdom could even help to assuage US concerns about the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which is a lifeline for the South Asian nation.

Pakistan wants to work with all countries working for peace in Afghanistan for its own sake. Working together with...