By Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Friday said that the peace deal, scheduled to be signed between the United States and Afghan Taliban on Saturday (February 29), was a great moment for Afghanistan and Afghan people, besides being an honor for Pakistan.
“Tomorrow is a great day for Afghanistan and Afghan people. God willing, Afghanistan is heading towards peace and reconciliation. Tomorrow’s agreement will pave way for an intra-Afghan dialogue,” the foreign minister said talking to Afghan media in Doha where he was to represent Pakistan at the signing ceremony.
In a separate statement, the foreign minister hoped that the peace deal would be signed on Saturday and representatives from around 50
countries would attend the ceremony.
He said Pakistan had been invited to become part of this process as the world was appreciative of Pakistan’s role for Afghan peace. “This is a great honor for Pakistan and recognition of its efforts,” the foreign minister remarked. He said amid the presence of world media, that arrived in Doha to cover the peace deal, two matters including the peace agreement and genocide in New Delhi were the subjects of everyone’s discussion including the international media.
The members of the US foreign relations committee, the intellectuals, actors, and musicians of the world were also speaking up on the ongoing situation in India. “Pakistan’s perception is enriching while India’s is downing,” Qureshi commented.
He said Pakistan was playing a central role at the international level by foiling the Indian attempts for its isolation. Even India had to bite the dust in its utmost efforts to blacklist Pakistan in the FATF, he added.
The foreign minister said the world was questioning the so-called secular face of India where a judge was transferred from New Delhi to Haryana when he moving to do justice.
He said during the US President Donald Trump’s visit to New Delhi, both the countries could not agree on a trade deal. Even a curfew like condition prevailed in some parts of New Delhi with military patrolling there.
He said under the police patronage, the RSS goons were torching the public properties, attacking the Muslims and even raising Hanuman flags over mosques. The world is witnessing all this happening, he added.
Even, the foreign minister said India tried to impede the US-Taliban peace deal and it would be a great success if it took place despite all that. Pakistan on Friday confirmed that Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi will attend signing of US-Taliban peace deal in Doha on February 29.
In a statement today, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting, Firdous Ashiq Awan, said Pakistan “welcomes” the peace agreement between the two sides.
“On this occasion FM Qureshi will represent Pakistan,” said the SAPM. “Emir of Qatar, foreign ministers of seven countries and representatives from 50 other countries will also attend the ceremony.”
She said that this historic progress towards peace in Afghanistan is the victory of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision and a testament of exemplary role of Pakistan’s armed forces. PM Imran has always “supported the dialogue” to resolve the Afghan conundrum, she added. Pakistan will continue to play its positive role for peace and stability, Firdous added. Last week, Qatar had invited Pakistan to attend the deal signing ceremony between United States and the Afghan Taliban.
On behalf of the Qatari Foreign Minister, the invitation was extended by the Qatari Ambassador to Pakistan Saqr Bin Mubarak during a meeting with FM Qureshi in Islamabad on Tuesday.
In his remarks on the occasion, the foreign minister said Pakistan and Qatar have played a pivotal role in furthering the Afghan reconciliation process.
