DM Monitoring
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi left on a regional diplomacy tour Tuesday, which includes visits to Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, to discuss the unfolding situation in Afghanistan and present Pakistan’s perspective.
As the Taliban takes over in the strategic, landlocked nation, Pakistan, India, China and other regional powers are looking to cement their grip. Pakistan has said it desires an early and inclusive political settlement and a smooth transition of power in Afghanistan.
“Pakistan believes that the neighboring countries have a vital stake in the peace, security and stability of Afghanistan and the region,” Qureshi said in a statement about the visit from August 24-26. “It is important to coordinate closely with the neighbours to address common challenges and advance shared goals of peace, security, stability and regional connectivity.”
The foreign minister said his visit aimed to promote a coordinated regional approach as well as strengthen Pakistan’s engagement with Central and West Asia.
Qureshi, in a statement on Monday, dispelled the idea that Pakistan had a problem with India’s relations with any government in Afghanistan.
“No objection to India’s good relations with Afghanistan,” his statement said, also rejecting Indian media reports that the foreign minister had traveled to Kabul recently.
“Indian media made a fuss about my going to Kabul, Indian media should confirm before speaking,” Qureshi said. “I did not go to Kabul.”
About latest development by Taliban, the group has started filling key posts to run the government in war-torn Afghanistan.
The group appointed Gul Agha as finance minister and Sadr Ibrahim as the acting interior minister of the country, according to Afghan media reports.
Reports also suggested that Najibullah has been appointed as the country’s intelligence chief while, Mullah Shirin will be Kabul’s new governor.
Hamdullah Nomani will serve as Kabul’s mayor.
