-Says Afghanistan cannot afford another civil war
-Raises concerns over Israeli strikes on Gaza after ceasefire
-Meets with Abdullah Abdullah, Palestinian counterpart on the sideline of Antalya Diplomatic Forum
DM Monitoring
ANKARA: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Friday said that the leadership of Afghanistan should find a political solution to the Afghan problem through comprehensive dialogue and inter-Afghan talks are essential for the retreat of anti-peace spoilers.
FM Qureshi held a meeting with Abdullah Abdullah, Chairman of Afghanistan’s High Council for National Reconciliation on the sidelines of Antalya Diplomatic Forum. The two leaders discussed issues of mutual interest, including bilateral relations and the Afghan peace process.
Referring to the successful visit of the Chairman of the Afghan High Council of Nationals to Pakistan in September 2020, the foreign minister said that we look forward to engaging with all Afghan leadership without distinction so that the Afghan peace process and bilateral relations can move forward in a better way.
He said that Pakistan, due to its sincere reconciliation efforts, had succeeded in bringing the United States and the Taliban to the negotiating table and holding inter-Afghan talks. It is now the responsibility of the Afghan leadership to seize this rare opportunity.
Qureshi clarified that negative statements and accusations only lead to environmental degradation. Such negative statements encourage anti-peace forces.
Meanwhile in an interview with Afghan media, Mr. Qureshi said that Afghanistan cannot afford another civil war. He said that negotiations between the Taliban and the Afghan government are currently stalled and added that if this stalemate persisted until the US withdrawal, the situation in Afghanistan would be similar to that of the 1990s.
He said that such a situation would neither be good for Afghanistan nor for Pakistan and the region.
Replying to a question, Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that Pakistan has no objection to the bilateral relations between Afghanistan and India. He said that sometimes the Indian presence in Afghanistan exceeds the limits of bilateral relations which is alarming for Pakistan.
Replying to yet another question, FM Qureshi said that whether Afghanistan agrees or not, the Durand Line is an international border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. He said that if Afghanistan wants to be a good neighbor with Pakistan, then the Durand Line must be recognized. “No further talks are needed on the Durand Line with Afghanistan,” FM Qureshi said.
Palestine cause:
Earlier, talking to Palestinian Foreign Minister Dr. Riyad Al Maliki on the side-lines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey, Shah Mahmood Qureshi had reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause.
He underscored the importance of two-state solution to the Palestine issue, based on pre-1967 borders under the relevant UNSC resolutions for sustainable peace in the region.
The FM also expressed strong concerns on the latest Israeli strikes against Gaza after the recent ceasefire. The Palestinian foreign minister briefed Shah Mahmood Qureshi on the latest situation in Palestinian Occupied Territories.
He also conveyed deep appreciation on behalf of the Palestinian president and the people of Palestine to the FM Qureshi for proactively taking up the case of Palestine at the UN General Assembly during the recent Israeli aggression against Gaza.
Both foreign ministers exchanged views on rising Islamophobia and agreed on the need for devising a joint strategy to counter discrimination against all religious faiths, particularly against Muslims.
FM Qureshi also extended an invitation to the Palestinian foreign minister to visit Pakistan. Riyad Al Maliki accepted the invitation and responded that he looked forward to visiting Pakistan in the near future.
