ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Head of Massoud Foundation of Afghanistan Ahmad Wali Massoud along with a delegation met Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad on Thursday.
The prime minister extended a warm welcome to Ahmad Wali Massoud and said that Pakistan and Afghanistan are bound by a fraternal relationship rooted deep in a shared history and commonalities of faith, culture, and traditions.
The prime minister recalled the historic contribution of the late Ahmed Shah Massoud, a key Mujahideen leader, during the Afghan resistance movement.
Imran Khan reiterated his conviction that there is no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan and that a negotiated political settlement is the only way forward. He added that after Afghanistan, Pakistan is the most desirous to see the return of peace in Afghanistan as it is deeply affected by the conflict.
Ahmad Wali Massoud, Head of Massoud Foundation Afghanistan, calls on Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI today pic.twitter.com/2jXOqvEX46
— Prime Minister’s Office, Pakistan (@PakPMO) February 18, 2021
In the context of the Afghan peace process, the prime minister highlighted that Pakistan extended full support to facilitate the US-Taliban Peace Agreement and the initiation of Intra-Afghan Negotiations.
The prime minister stressed that the intra-Afghan negotiations provided a historic opportunity which must be seized by the Afghan leadership to achieve an inclusive, broad-based, and comprehensive political settlement.
The prime minister added that Pakistan has been emphasizing to all sides to work together constructively, take steps for reduction of violence leading to a ceasefire, and secure a political solution for a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Afghanistan.
Moreover, he said that the return of peace in Afghanistan will have lasting benefits for the region and beyond, through economic development, regional trade, and improved connectivity.
The prime minister further highlighted the range of steps including the introduction of a liberal visa regime and increased facilitation in bilateral and transit trade to further strengthen fraternal ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Pakistan’s assistance for Afghanistan’s development efforts and human resource capacity-building will continue apace, he said.
The visit of Ahmad Wali Massoud and his delegation is in continuation of Pakistan’s policy to reach out to Afghan leaders to further strengthen bilateral ties and enhance mutual convergence on the Afghan peace process.
During the visit to Pakistan, Ahmad Wali Massoud will call on the Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser, and other dignitaries.
The Head of Massoud Foundation will deliver a keynote address at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) and also have interaction with the media.
