Observer Report Kabul
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday met interim Afghanistan Prime Minister Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund and conveyed Pakistan’s commitment to extending humanitarian assistance to its Afghan brothers.
Qureshi was visiting Afghanistan for the first time after the Taliban took over in mid-August. In the meeting with Akhund, issues of mutual interest were discussed. The foreign minister said Pakistan wanted lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan.
He mentioned in this regard several steps by the government including visa facilities for Afghan citizens, especially traders, and the establishment of new border points to facilitate movement.
Qureshi said Pakistan, in collaboration with Afghanistan’s neighbours, was committed to playing a constructive role for peace and stability in the region.
The interim prime minister received Qureshi at the Arg Presidential Office, where they had a meeting in the presence of the Afghan leadership, Ambassador of Pakistan to Afghanistan Mansoor Ahmad Khan said.
The discussions focused on facilitating people-to-people interaction, trade, transit, and connectivity between two brotherly nations, ?the ambassador said. Afghan Interim Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaki was also present.
Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq, Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood, Pakistani Ambassador to Afghanistan Mansoor Ahmad Khan, senior military leadership, and other members of the Pakistani delegation were present in the meeting.
Deputy prime minister Maulvi Abdul Salam Hanafi hosted a banquet in honour of Foreign Minister Qureshi and his delegation at the Arg Palace.
Qureshi is the third foreign minister after those of Qatar and Uzbekistan to visit since the Taliban took power after ousting Ashraf Ghani’s regime.
In a statement issued earlier, the Foreign Office said Qureshi is in Kabul for a day-long visit and is set to hold important talks with the Afghan leadership.
During his meetings with top Afghan officials, the foreign minister will share Pakistan’s perspective on issues of regional peace and stability, the statement said.
The statement added that Pakistan has always stood by Afghanistan and kept the border crossing points open for trade and pedestrian crossing under Covid protocols.
Facilitative visa regime for Afghan nationals and border crossing procedures for trade and cargo have been instituted, it added.
In recent months, Pakistan has provided humanitarian aid and assistance in the form of food stuffs and medicines.
The foreign minister held a meeting with Afghanistan’s interim Prime Minister Mullah Hassan Akhund. “Pakistan is determined to help Afghan brethren on humanitarian grounds.
He said Pakistan wants to enhance bilateral trade with Afghanistan,” FM Qureshi said during the meeting with Akhund.
“Pakistan resolves to play a constructive role, in collaboration with Afghanistan’s neighbouring countries, for peace and stability in the region,” the FM said.
Views were also exchanged on matters of bilateral interest, enhancing cooperation in economic sector, including trade and commerce, as well as various options to bring the Afghan people out of the economic crisis.
The Afghan interim prime minister thanked the Pakistani leadership for extending timely humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.
Earlier, upon arrival, Akhund welcomed Qureshi and his high-level delegation, which included Inter-Services Intelligence chief Lt General Faiz Hameed, who visited Kabul in the immediate aftermath of its fall.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, the foreign minister said that he had a detailed and result-oriented discussion with the Taliban leadership.
Qureshi said that almost all members of the Afghanistan cabinet were present, and the two sides talked about a wide array of bilateral issues, including steps to increase trade and regional connectivity.
The minister said that he had also been accompanied by a delegation, consisting of representatives from different ministries, that met with Afghan officials.
“Hopefully, their delegation will come to Islamabad in the next few days so that we can take these talks forwards and settle matters.”
