ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi received a telephone call from the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden Ann Linde on Monday.
Qureshi apprised the Swedish foreign minister of Pakistan’s perspective on the latest developments in Afghanistan.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi added that in the last few days, he had been in touch with several European and other foreign ministers to exchange views on Afghanistan.
Bilaterally, I shared with FM @AnnLinde that Pakistan is home to a diversity of Swedish companies & we welcome the entry of more Swedish businesses in line with our geo economic goals.
Pleased to invite FM Linde to visit to Pakistan. https://t.co/mKzCG1FnOs— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) August 23, 2021
The foreign minister underlined that no other Country wanted a peaceful and stable Afghanistan more than Pakistan.
The minister added that Pakistan had consistently advocated for an inclusive political settlement in Afghanistan as the best way forward and had been supporting efforts in that direction.
The foreign minister emphasized that the immediate priority was to ensure the safety, security and protection of rights of all Afghans.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that as a responsible member of the international community, Pakistan was fully facilitating several European Countries, international organizations, and media agencies to evacuate their nationals/employees and others from Afghanistan. Pakistan’s efforts have been widely acknowledged.
Qureshi highlighted the importance of the international community’s sustained engagement with Afghanistan. He said that the International community must show solidarity and support with the people of Afghanistan, both in the humanitarian arena and economic sustenance.
The Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi informed the Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde of his upcoming visit to neighboring countries of Afghanistan to consult them on the developing situation.
The Swedish foreign minister conveyed her government’s deep appreciation for Pakistan’s assistance in the evacuation of Swedish Embassy staff and others from Kabul.
Both the foreign ministers expressed the resolve further to strengthen bilateral relations in all spheres especially in trade, education, and innovation.
Qureshi extended an invitation to his Swedish Counterpart to visit Pakistan at an appropriate time.
The two foreign ministers agreed to remain in contact.
