Pakistan desires lasting peace in Afghanistan.

ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan participated in a virtual conference on Afghanistan, titled 'Strengthening Consensus for Peace', hosted by the Government of AfghaniAstan, yesterday.

Afghan President Dr. Ashraf Ghani and ChairAman High Peace Council for National ReconciliaAtion Dr. Abdullah AbdulAlah participated in the conference. RepresentaAtives of a number of counAtries and international orAganisations attended the conference.

Pakistan, in its stateAment, emphasized the imAportance of a peaceful and stable Afghanistan for the overall peace and stabilAity in the region and beAyond. It was stressed that the signing of the US-TaliAban peace agreement had created a historic opporAtunity that must be seized by the Afghan leaderAship to work together and achieve an inclusive and comprehensive political settlement.

Pakistan also hoped that the release of prisAoners will be completAed soon as per the peace agreement to pave the way for the earliest comAmencement of Intra-AfAghan Negotiations.

Pakistan stressed that there was a need for the international communiAty to focus on ensuring early start and successAful...