ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has reiterated Pakistan’s consistent support for a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Afghanistan.
In a meeting with the Leader of the Hezb-e-Wahdat-e Islami of Afghanistan Ustad Mohammad Karim Khalili who along with a delegation met him at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad on Tuesday, the foreign minister underscored that after the Afghans, Pakistan was the Country most desirous of peace in Afghanistan.
The foreign minister underlined that the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan were linked through immutable bonds of history, faith, culture, and traditions. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Afghanistan in all fields.
Qureshi highlighted the various steps taken by Pakistan to strengthen bilateral and transit trade and the introduction of a revised visa policy to facilitate Afghan nationals.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that Pakistan has always emphasized that there is no military solution of the Afghan conflict and that a negotiated political settlement is the only way forward.
The foreign minister stressed the importance of an inclusive, broad-based, and comprehensive political solution through an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process.
Highlighting Pakistan’s positive contribution to the various milestones achieved so far, the foreign minister reaffirmed that Pakistan will continue to facilitate the Afghan peace process.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi stressed that the Afghan leadership should seize this historic opportunity to establish lasting peace in Afghanistan through the intra-Afghan negotiations.
The foreign minister reiterated Pakistan’s call on all sides to take measures for reduction in the violence leading to a ceasefire. He also cautioned against the role of ‘spoilers’ within and outside Afghanistan who did not wish to see the return of peace in Afghanistan and the region.
Qureshi further expressed the hope that the return of peace and stability in Afghanistan would provide a strong impetus to economic development, regional integration, and connectivity, benefitting Afghanistan and the region.
The foreign minister also emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to the safe and dignified return of Afghan refugees to their homeland.
Ustad Karim Khalili thanked for Pakistan’s consistent support to Afghanistan, particularly in the peace process, and for hosting millions of Afghan refugees for the last many decades.
The Hezb-e-Wahdat-e Islami appreciated the various steps taken by Pakistan to strengthen trade between the two Countries and facilitate Afghan nationals through a revised visa policy.
