By Asghar
Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood Tuesday emphasized the need for a common regional approach toward Afghanistan in order to advance shared objectives.
The foreign ministry, in a meeting with Germany’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Dr. Jasper Wieck here, hoped that the international community would assist the Afghan people in averting the humanitarian crisis.
During the meeting, they exchanged views on bilateral relations and the situation in Afghanistan.
Welcoming Dr. Wieck to Pakistan, the foreign secretary recalled the positive outcomes of their last meeting in March this year.
He said Pakistan deeply valued its long-standing relations with Germany, both bilaterally and in the context of the European Union.
He added that Pakistan was committed to comprehensively expanding bilateral cooperation across all areas, especially trade, investment, security, and people-to-people exchanges.
The foreign secretary also stressed the importance of regular high-level exchanges and highlighted the various events organized to mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
He highlighted the key elements of Pakistan’s principled position on the conflict in Ukraine and reiterated its support for a peaceful and diplomatic solution as soon as possible.
The foreign secretary also briefed the Special Representative on the serious situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). He underscored the importance of peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute for durable peace and stability in South Asia.
The special representative underlined the importance Germany attached to its relations with Pakistan and its desire to enhance bilateral cooperation in diverse fields.
Thanking Pakistan for its facilitation in evacuating Afghans, foreign diplomats, and international aid workers from Afghanistan, Special Representative Wieck reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to work together for promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Separately, Minister for Armed Forces of the United Kingdom James Heappey called on Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood in Islamabad on Tuesday.
They discussed bilateral relations as well as regional and international developments during the meeting.
Stressing the historic and long-standing nature of Pakistan-UK partnership, the Foreign Secretary reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to further deepen cooperation across myriad dimensions — including trade, investment, security, defense, and culture and people-to-people linkages.
He highlighted the role of Pakistani diaspora in UK and its valuable contribution to the further advancement of bilateral relations.
The Foreign Secretary reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong commitment to playing a positive role in promoting regional peace and security.
The Foreign Secretary stressed the importance of strategic stability and peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
Minister Heappey reaffirmed the importance of UK-Pakistan partnership and UK’s desire to expand bilateral cooperation. He appreciated Pakistan’s cooperation with the international community, and UK in particular, following the August 2021 developments in Afghanistan.
The two sides agreed to maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges, especially in this 75th anniversary year of Pakistan-UK diplomatic relations.
