Islamabad: Pakistan has welcomed the signing of the historic agreement between the US and Taliban as a major step towards peace in Afghanistan after more than 18 years of war and hoped that the Afghan factions would avail this opportunity to reach a mutual accommodation.

Pakistan was represented at the signing ceremony in the Qatari capital of Doha on Saturday by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Dawn news reported.

The agreement, under which the US committed to withdraw up to 5,000 troops in about four and a half months and all remaining forces within 14 months, if the deal holds, is expected to lead to initiation of intra-Afghan dialogue by March 10.

"We welcome the Doha Accord signed between US and the Taliban. This is the start of a peace and reconciliation process to end decades of war and suffering of the Afghan people," Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted on Saturday night and said he stood vindicated that a political solution was the only route to peace.

Cautioning about the challenges ahead for the peace process, Khan said: "Now all stakeholders have to ensure that spoilers are kept at bay. My prayers for peace for the Afghan people who have suffered four decades of bloodshed." He further added Khan added that Pakistan remained committed to playing its role in ensuring that the agreement held and succeeded in bringing peace to Afghanistan.