-Holds talks with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Zayed and Emir of Qatar over phone
-Terms inclusive government in Kabul best way forward
-Sys peaceful and stable Afghanistan is in interest of Pakistan and the region
-Stresses need to address dire humanitarian situation
-FM speaks to Iranian counterpart over Afghanistan situation
-Says Pakistan attaches significant importance to its relations with Iran
By Our Diplomatic
Correspondent
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan held a telephonic conversation with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Zayed and exchanged views on the issues of bilateral interest as well as regional developments particularly the latest situation in Afghanistan.
“The prime minister reaffirmed the importance Pakistan attaches to its strong fraternal ties with the UAE and close cooperation between the two countries,” a statement issued by the PM Office said on Sunday. On the latest situation in Afghanistan, PM Imran underscored that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan is in the vital interest of Pakistan and the region.
He said that an inclusive political settlement is the best way forward to ensure safety and security as well protection of the rights of the people of Afghanistan.
PM Imran stressed that the world community must remain engaged, in order to support the Afghan people, economically and to help rebuild the country. He emphasized the need to address the dire humanitarian needs and to ensure the economic stability of Afghanistan.
The prime minister congratulated the crown prince for making excellent arrangements for the upcoming ‘Expo 2020’. He conveyed his best wishes for the resounding success of the mega event. PM Imran and the crown prince agreed to work together to enhance collaboration in all areas of common interest, the communiqué read.
Later, Prime Minister Imran Khan held a telephone conversation with the Amir of the State of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Sunday. The two leaders discussed bilateral relations and exchanged views on the evolving situation in Afghanistan.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire to further strengthen political and economic partnership with Qatar. He appreciated Qatar’s assistance to Pakistan during the pandemic, in particular the care afforded to more than 200,000 Pakistani expatriates working for progress and development of both countries.
The Prime Minister underscored that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan was in vital interest of Pakistan and the region. He underlined that after 40 years of conflict and instability, there was an opportunity to establish lasting peace in Afghanistan.
Prime Minister Imran Khan emphasized that the world community must remain positively engaged and support the Afghan people at this crucial juncture – both economically and to help rebuild the country. This, he stressed, was crucial to avert humanitarian and refugee crises in the country.
The two leaders agreed to remain in close contact on bilateral matters as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi spoke to his Iranian counterpart Sunday to discuss the Afghanistan, as the Taliban gear up to announce a new government in the war-ravaged country.The foreign minister spoke to Iran’s Hossein Ameer Abdollahian over the phone, both representatives agreed to continue consulting each other over the evolving situation in Afghanistan.
The two sides exchanged views in detail about latest developments in Afghanistan and also agreed on holding a virtual conference of Afghanistan’s neighbours at the level of representatives in the upcoming days. FM Qureshi said Pakistan attaches significant importance to its relations with Iran, while his Iranian counterpart lauded Qureshi’s “concerted efforts to evolve a coordinated strategy in the backdrop of situation in Afghanistan.”
He thanked FM Qureshi for his recent visit to Iran.Last month, Qureshi visited Tehran where he met newly elected Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi.During his trip, Qureshi briefed President Raisi on the ongoing situation in Afghanistan and apprised him of Pakistan’s perspective and underlined a coordinated approach. Shedding light on the way forward, he had said, “It is important for the neighbours of Afghanistan for continued consultations on the way forward as peace in Afghanistan would lead to economic and political benefits for the region.”
During his meeting, the minister had conveyed heartfelt felicitations to President Raisi from the Pakistani leadership over his victory in the presidential election and over him receiving the Parliament’s endorsement on the Cabinet. Pakistan’s foreign minister had extended the invitation, on behalf of Prime Minister Imran Khan to President Raisi, urging him to visit Pakistan. President Raisi had accepted it.
The meeting was part of the foreign minister’s two-day visit to four countries, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Iran, to promote a coordinated regional approach to the evolving situation in Afghanistan.
