During a phone call on Monday, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi told his Afghan counterpart, Hanif Atmar about the exceptional standing of intra-Afghan talks for lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Qureshi also highlighted Pakistan’s priority and essentiality for a peaceful, comprehensive, and lasting solution to the Afghan problem.
Furthermore, Pakistan assured Afghanistan of complete cooperation in reinforcing bilateral trade and a proposed establishment of border sustenance markets.
“Good connecting with Foreign Minister Hanif Atmar. In line with the directives of Prime Minister Imran Khan (we) discussed the importance of moving forward with the establishment of border markets for stronger bilateral trade. We will continue working closely with Afghanistan for stability in (the) region and for the success of the Afghan peace process.”
Qureshi said in a tweet.
Good connecting w/ FM @MHaneefAtmar. In line w/ directive of PM @ImranKhanPTI discussed imp of moving forward with establishment of border markets for stronger bilateral trade. We will continue working closely with 🇦🇫 for stability in region & for success of Afghan peace process.
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) January 25, 2021
After the new administration took over in Washington, this is the first high-level contact between Afghanistan and Pakistan considering President Joe Biden’s government will review the deal by the US with the Afghan Taliban.
“The foreign minister underlined that intra-Afghan negotiations provided a historic opportunity to the Afghan leadership to achieve an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement in Afghanistan.”
The Foreign Office said.
“Pakistan has always held that there is no military solution to the Afghan conflict and a political settlement is the only way forward. Pakistan will continue to play its positive role towards supporting the Afghan peace process and strengthening relations with Afghanistan.”
Qureshi told his counterpart.
The views expressed by Atmar during the phone call were not commented on by the Foreign Office.
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