Pakistan welcomes signing of agreement between Afghan political leaders: foreign ministry

Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani and his rival Abdullah Abdullah, who also claimed victory in the presidential election, inked an agreement on Sunday to end the political deadlock following last year's presidential election, Afghan presidential spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said on Twitter.
Abdullah will head the High Council for National Reconciliation that will lead the peace process with the Taliban, according to Afghan media.

"At this critical juncture, it is vitally important that all Afghan leaders work together constructively in the supreme interest of the Afghan people and help bring lasting peace and stability to the country affected by decades of violence and conflict," the Pakistani foreign ministry said in a statement on Sunday night.

The statement said the US-Taliban peace agreement, signed in February, has created a historic opportunity, which must be seized by all Afghan stakeholders to advance the goals of peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.

"It is critical that the intra-Afghan negotiations commence at the earliest, culminating in a comprehensive and inclusive political settlement in Afghanistan," the statement said, adding that all Afghan parties must honor their respective commitments, work with perseverance and a sense of common purpose, and also guard against the machinations of any spoilers, from within and without.

Pakistan reiterated its commitment to continue to support a peaceful, stable, united, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan, at peace with itself and its neighbors, according to the statement.