Pakistan, China, Iran and Russia have called for ceasefire in Afghanistan and the start of intra-Afghan, which are the “only way to realize the Afghan national reconciliation, leading to prompt end of the prolonged conflict.”
Special Representatives on Afghanistan affairs of Pakistan, China, Russia and Iran in a joint statement called on all Afghan ethnic groups and parties, including Taliban, to act upon the opportunities preparing the situation to launch the Intra-Afghan negotiations as soon as possible.
The statement was issued in Moscow, Beijing, Tehran and Islamabad on Monday amid a stalemate over the start of the intra-Afghan dialogue as Taliban have refused to join the process unless 5000 Taliban prisoners are released.
Afghan government has released nearly 1000 Taliban prisoners but stopped the process in the wake of Taliban increase in attacks in recent days.
The four countries supported release of prisoners and detainees held by all parties to the conflict in Afghanistan, according to the statement.
As the four major stakeholders in Afghan peace called for ceasefire, Afghan officials said on Tuesday that the Taliban launched an overnight attack on northern Kunduz city.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed that Taliban killed 20 soldiers and also lost 5 fighters in Kunduz clashes.
Afghan defence ministry said security forces have pushed back the Taliban attack and killed 40 Taliban fighters.
The ministry said in a statement that Taliban also attacked Imam Sahib, Chardara and Ali Abad districts in Kunduz province.
Afghan defence minister Asadullah Khalid visited Kunduz and met security officials, the statement said, adding that more troops have been sent to the region
Meanwhile officials in Kandahar province said 5 border security personnel were killed and 7 others injured in an inside attack in Maroof district.
Afghan media; however, reported that 14 security personnel were killed in the Taliban attack.
Taliban said they had deployed 3 attackers for the attack and that 18 security men including 4 commanders were killed in the attack.
Special representatives on Afghanistan Affairs of Pakistan, China, Russia and Iran held a virtual meeting, and exchanged views on the current situation in Afghanistan and the peace and reconciliation process thereof.
The four countries supported the initiative of the UN Secretary General António Guterres for universal ceasefire and call for a simultaneous declaration of a comprehensive ceasefire throughout Afghanistan as agreed among parties to the conflict; They showed concerns with the serious terrorism threat existing in Afghanistan, urge all sides in Afghanistan to take decisive action against Al-Qaeda, ISIL, ETIM, TTP and other international terrorist organizations operating against regional countries, and to completely eradicate the production and trafficking of narcotics in the country;
They reaffirmed their support to Afghanistan to overcome the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, welcome the international community to continue providing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan;
The special envoys underscored that repatriation and reintegration of Afghan refugees should be part of any peace and reconciliation process, call upon the international community to support time bound return of Afghan refugees with dignity and honour.
The agreed to maintain the contact on the Afghanistan issue, and work together to advance the Afghan peace reconciliation and reconstruction process. They reiterated their respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Afghanistan, and the decision of its people on their future and development path.
The representatives welcomed the Agreement between two main political leaders and hope that this important event will expedite start of Intra-Afghan negotiations;
They supported the “Afghan-led, Afghan-owned” peace and reconciliation process and believe that the inclusive Intra-Afghan negotiations are the only way to realize the Afghan national reconciliation, leading to prompt end of the prolonged conflict; They called for paying close attention to the follow-up developments resulting in exit of foreign troops from Afghanistan, call on foreign troops to withdraw in an orderly and responsible way so that the situation in Afghanistan will experience a steady transition.
