Qureshi meets Afghan leaders to discuss peace

kabul — Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi paid a visit to Afghanistan’s capital Kabul on Monday to discuss the ongoing peace efforts in the war-torn country.

This is Qureshi’s second visit to Kabul since December 15, during which he is expected to exchange views with Afghan officials on matters pertaining to mutual interests including the ongoing peace process, the Afghan Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“Foreign Minister Qureshi in meeting with his Afghan counterpart noted that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan is in the interest of Pakistan and stressed regional cooperation,” it said. Appreciating Pakistan’s efforts for peace, Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani emphasised holding direct talks between the Afghan government and the Taleban group, the statement added.

Qureshi also met Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Kabul on Monday.

Kabul is Qureshi’s first stop on his three-day tour to four countries, which also includes China, Iran and Russia.

During the meeting between Qureshi and Rabbani, the latter lauded Pakistan’s efforts for peace in the region. He also briefed Qureshi about positive developments in the Afghan peace process.

The foreign ministers agreed on promoting political, economic and cultural ties between the two

countries. Qureshi emphasised the importance of improved relations for long-lasting peace and stability in the region.

Qureshi also met the Afghan president separately in the Presidential Palace, where the two stressed the need to improve bilateral relations. President Ghani

expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Imran Khan and Qureshi for playing an important role in the Afghan peace process.

Qureshi said that peace and stability in Afghanistan was not only important for the development of both countries but for the entire region. —