Pakistan calls for inclusive, broad-based, and a negotiated political settlement in Afghanistan

Dushanbe:  Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said Pakistan-China relations provide the foundation of peace, stability, and prosperity in the world.

Talking to his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, on the sidelines of Council of SCO Foreign Ministers in Dushanbe today (Wednesday), he said progress on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has been continuing at a fast pace, despite difficulties in wake of COVID-19.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi apprised his Chinese counterpart about Pakistan’s efforts for a political settlement of Afghan conflict.

He said all the Afghan stakeholders should jointly work for an inclusive, broad-based, and a negotiated political settlement in Afghanistan.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi also informed Wang Yi about gross human rights violation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

He said resolution of Kashmir dispute in light of UN Resolutions is vital for durable peace in South Asia.

Pakistan and Russia on Wednesday discussed the need for close coordination on efforts for a political settlement in Afghanistan.

Top diplomats of the two countries met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi briefed his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on Islamabad’s “constructive approach towards the Afghan peace process,” read a statement by Foreign Office.

“Reiterating continued support, the Foreign Minister emphasised close coordination between the two countries to help achieve a negotiated political settlement,” it added.

FO statement said that the two foreign ministers reviewed the implementation status of the decisions taken during the Russian foreign minister’s visit to Pakistan in April 2021.

The two foreign ministers agreed to remain in contact for the mutual benefit of the two countries, it further said.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Lavrov and Qureshi discussed pressing regional and international issues, with an emphasis on the situation in Afghanistan.

“Both sides stressed the need to further increase the multifaceted bilateral cooperation, including in counterterrorism as well as trade and economic fields,” the statement said.

Addressing the SCO meeting earlier, the FM Qureshi termed the situation unfolding in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of US and NATO troops a matter of “serious concern.”

“The rise in violence in recent weeks has exacerbated an already volatile situation. A spectre of chaos and escalated conflict looms large that would also give space to the spoilers who wish to see a reign of instability in Afghanistan and the region,” Qureshi added.

He urged all stakeholders in Afghanistan to “engage constructively and work for a negotiated political solution.”

“For its part, Pakistan has been, and will always be, a partner for peace. We stand ready to work with SCO member states to reinforce efforts for sustainable peace and stability in Afghanistan,” he asserted.