Qureshi reiterates Pakistan's support for Afghan Govt's efforts to restore peace
Qureshi also handed over a letter from PM Imran addressed to the Afghan President
KABUL (Dunya News) – Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Saturday held sepatare meetings with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Dr Abdullah Abdullah.
In a statement issued by the Foreign Office, Shah Mehmood Qureshi reiterated Pakistan’s support for the Afghan National Unity Government’s efforts to bring lasting peace in Afghanistan and assured that Islamabad with other partners, was ready to play a constructive role in facilitating an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process and reconciliation during the meetings.
The statement further said that the visit provided an opportunity to set out the contours of the new government’s future engagement with Afghanistan to build mutually beneficial relationship and enhance cooperation between the two countries.
It said: “During his visit, Qureshi conveyed to the Afghan leadership that the new government attached importance to its relations with Afghanistan and would work towards further deepening cooperation in the fields of trade development and connectivity.”
It was also agreed during the meetings that the two countries will take steps to improve crossing points, customs and infrastructure.
Qureshi also handed over a letter from Prime Minister Imran Khan addressed to the Afghan President marking the first consignment of 40,000 tonnes of wheat gifted to the Afghan people.
He underscored the importance of cooperation and coordination between the two countries in the areas of counter-terrorism and security and offered to train Afghan police and law enforcement agencies in Pakistani institutions.
The foreign minister also underlined the importance of frequent high level engagements between the two countries that had contributed in building trust and improving mutual understanding.
He emphasized to maintain the upward trajectory in bilateral relations through more high level visits during the upcoming months. He also invited President Ghani to visit Pakistan.
Meeting with Afghan counterpart
The foreign minister also held a meeting with his Afghan counterpart Salahuddin Rabbani in Kabul. Delegations of both sides were present in the meeting.
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Talking to the Afghan counterpart, Qureshi stressed that both Pakistan and Afghanistan will have to work together to meet the common challenges. He stressed that there is great potential to further bolster relations and cooperation between the two countries.
In his remarks, the Afghan foreign minister maintained that peace in Pakistan and Afghanistan is vital for regional peace. He asserted that his country desires cordial relations with all the neighboring countries including Pakistan.
Qureshi accompanied by foreign secretary Tehmina Janjua and officials of foreign ministry arrived in Kabul on Saturday on a day-long visit and were warmly received by officials from Afghan foreign ministry.
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Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal says that the foreign minister’s first visit to Kabul underlines the importance government attaches to work closely with Afghanistan for regional peace and stability.
Successful outcome of the visit will lead future efforts to enhance bilateral cooperation under bilateral frameworks of cooperation including APAPPS, APTTCA, JEC etc, he added.
Qureshi is visiting Afghanistan at the invitation of his Afghan counterpart Salahuddin Rabbani. This is his first foreign visit after assuming the charge of Pakistan’s foreign minister.
