‘China Welcomes And Supports The Effort’, Chinese Foreign Ministry On Pak-Afghan Ceasefire

<p>Beijing: China on Thursday welcomed the 48-hour ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan after heavy fighting and called on both the countries to reach a comprehensive and lasting truce to resolve their differences.</p>
<p>&ldquo;We noted that Pakistan and Afghanistan decided to implement a temporary ceasefire and will seek a solution through constructive dialogue, which serves the common interests of the two sides and helps keep the region peaceful and stable. China welcomes and supports the effort,&rdquo; Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a media briefing her.</p>
<p>China supports the two countries in staying “cool-headed and exercising restraint”, realising a full and lasting ceasefire, properly handling differences through dialogue and consultation, he said.</p>
<p>The two countries should return to the track of political settlement, maintaining peace and stability in both countries and the wider region, he said, adding that China will play a constructive role for the improvement of their relations.</p>
<p>China maintains close ties with Pakistan and Afghanistan through a tripartite mechanism, conducting periodic meetings to iron out differences over Islamabad&rsquo;s repeated allegations against Kabul of hosting Pakistan&rsquo;s militant groups, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Baloch Liberation Army.</p>
<p>The Afghan Taliban firmly reject the allegations of harbouring Pakistani militants and blames Pakistan army&rsquo;s aggressive actions, including airstrikes on Kabul, for the escalation of the conflict.&nbsp;</p>
<p class=”p1″><em><strong>(This report has been published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)</strong></em></p>