ISLAMABAD: Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Friday said that Pakistan had no favorites in Afghanistan and will follow the priorities that elected government in Kabul determines for pursuing peace and reconciliation.

Welcoming the deal between the National Unity Government and Hizb-e-Islami, Sartaj said this agreement seems to have motivated and encouraged other groups to come to talks.

These groups should realise that it is a different Afghanistan that wants peace and where the dominant majority would not like to go back to the past, he added.

The adviser said that Pakistan’s message to all the combatants is loud and clear; nobody can capture Afghanistan on its own, and the key to peace lies in talks.

“We desire that both the National Unity Government and the Taliban sort out issues among themselves and we will stand by them for any support we can lend to the process,” said Sartaj.

He also welcomed unanimity of approach on the peace process within Kabul and hoped it would encourage all parties to join the process.

The adviser added that Pakistan is doing whatever it can to persuade all Taliban factions to become part of the peace process and indications are that many of them are now interested in joining the process.