Yousuf Raza Gilani urges Afghan insurgents to join peace talks

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has appealed to Afghan insurgent groups to join the peace talks in that country.

“It is now time to turn a new leaf and open a new chapter in the history of Afghanistan,” Gilani said in a statement Friday.

“It is time to combine the strength of the Afghan people in a true spirit of our noble religion — Islam — to build peace and bring prosperity to Afghanistan,” he said.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has appealed to Pakistan to support the peace process in Afghanistan. “This is an important statement and Pakistan is duty bound to respond positively to the appeal.

“I would like to appeal to the Taliban leadership as well as all other Afghan groups, including Hizb-e-Islami, to participate in an intra-Afghan process for national reconciliation and peace,” Xinhua quoted Gilani as saying.

“Pakistan is prepared to do whatever it can for its success,” he added.