Afridi interacts with Afghan leaders in Panjshir

Minister says Pakistan principal partner of Afghanistan in peace and stability

ISLAMABAD: State Minister for Sates and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) and Narcotics Control, Shehryar Khan Afridi on Thursday said Pakistan was making all possible efforts to further the Afghan peace process.

"The historic United States (US) visit by Prime Minister Imran Khan has already laid a new foundation for Afghan peace and development, and Pakistan would keep making efforts to further the peace dialogue," he said in a statement issued from Panjshir, Afghanistan.

He said a peaceful and developing Afghanistan would prove to be a partner in Pakistan’s pursuance of regional peace and stability.

Upon arrival, Afghan Minister for Public Health Dr Ferozuddin Feroz and Deputy Governor Siddiqi welcomed the minister.



The minister visited the strategic Panjshir Valley of Afghanistan and met with the local leaders and briefed them on Pakistan’s efforts for peace and development in Afghanistan.

Later, Afridi held detailed talks with the local leadership and said all Afghan leaders and politico-ethnic groups were equally important for Pakistan.

He made it clear that Pakistan believed in Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process and would keep pursuing dialogue between Afghans.

The minister said Pakistan is the principal partner of Afghanistan in peace and stability in Afghanistan.

The minister also visited the mouselem of late Afghan leader Commander Ahmed Shah Masood and laid a floral wreath. He offered Fateha and recorded his comments in the visitor's book.

Afridi is the first cabinet minister to visit Panjshir Valley. Around a decade ago, ambassador Sadiq Khan visited the valley.