Observer Report
Islamabad
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi reiterated Pakistan’s support for a peaceful, united and stable Afghanistan during a telephonic conversation with his Afghan counterpart on Wednesday.
During the conversation, Qureshi and Afghan Foreign Minister Hanif Atmar exchanged their views on matters relating to Afghan peace process, bilateral relations, repatriation of Afghan refugees and regional connectivity.
Qureshi highlighted country’s positive contribution towards the Afghan peace process and expressed the hope that the Afghan leadership would seize this historic opportunity through Intra-Afghan negotiations to establish lasting peace in Afghanistan by achieving an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement.
Moreover, the foreign minister also welcomed the increasing high-level bilateral visits, that includes the recent visit of the Speaker of Afghan Wolesi Jigra Mir Rahman Rahmani to the Pakistan-Afghanistan trade Investment Forum in Islamabad.
Qureshi further emphasised on deepening the trade and economic ties between the two countries and to make efforts to enhance connectivity.
The FM reiterated the importance of a time-bound and well-resourced road map for the repatriation of Afghan refugees. He also emphasised on Pakistan’s commitment to a safe and dignified return of Afghan refugees to their homeland.
The FM mentioned the steps taken by Pakistan to facilitate Afghans. He highlighted the new visa policy that aims to further ease people-to-people contact between the two nations
Furthermore, Qureshi commiserated over the loss of lives in the unfortunate incident in Jalalabad where Afghan local authorities were managing visa applicants.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi also telephoned his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu on Wednesday and praised President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s solid stance over blasphemous caricatures.
Qureshi extended felicitations to Mevlut Cavusoglu on Turkey’s 97th Republic Day. The Turkish foreign minister said Prime Minister Imran Khan’s statement regarding Islamophobia is commendable.
