Being sidelined in the future plans for Afghanistan, complains US, FO says Afghan presence must

ISLAMABAD, KABDL, MOSCOW: (Dunya News) – Pakistan, Russia and China have demanded lifting of the ban on Taliban leaders. United States (US), on the other hand, has complained that it was being sidelined from the future plans for Afghanistan, reported Dunya News.

The three-nation meeting held in Moscow demanded lifting of the ban on Taliban leaders in Afghanistan. US expressed concern over the demand while Afghan government has protested against it.

The working group of the three-nation group comprising Pakistan, Russia and China met in Moscow where Pakistan was represented by Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry.

The meeting expressed concern over the rise of extremist groups in Afghanistan including Daesh and it agreed to expand consultation process and cooperation for law and order as well as reconciliation in Afghanistan. The three nations also agreed to continue the peace process led by Afghans so that the militant opposition could be brought to the table of negotiations.

Russia and China endorsed the demand for lifting of bans on Taliban leaders imposed by United Nations (UN). The two countries are also permanent members of UN Security Council.

Declaring the peace in Afghanistan as vital for the security of the region, its neighbours and the world, the tree countries agreed to continue and expand cooperation.

The three-nation working group warned that the security situation in Afghanistan was poor due to which ISIS was gaining ground there.

The joint declarations said that all the three countries agreed to remove some of the names from the terrorist list in order to assist peace talks between Afghan government and the Taliban.

Talking to Russian media after the meeting, Aizaz Chaudhry said that the discussions in the meeting for peace in Afghanistan were quite fruitful.

China expressed hope that the discussions between China, Pakistan and Russia would help peace and progress in Afghanistan.

Expressing concern over absence of Afghan government from the meeting, US said that it was being sidelined from the future plans for Afghanistan. The officials in Kabul and Washington also said that Moscow was trying to improve its ties with the Taliban fighting against Afghan government. Moscow rejected the allegation.

On the other hand, Afghan Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that the three-nation summit would bring no benefit as Afghan people were not present in it.