Afghan envoy calls on FM Qureshi to bid adieu

Shukrullah Atif Mashal also pays farewell call on army chief, thanks him for supporting Aghan peace process

ISLAMABAD:

Outgoing Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan Shukrullah Atif Mashal called on Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Wednesday bidding him farewell.

During the meeting Qureshi reiteriated the importance of Pakistan's bilateral relations with Afghanistan, according to a statement issued by his office. Prime Minister Imran Khan has abiding interest in strengthening relationships with all of the country country's neighbours, including Afghanistan, said Qureshi.

The foreign minister welcomed Loya Jirga's recommendation pertaining to release of prisoners and expressed hope that the intra-Afghan negotiations begin at the earliest. The Afghan leadership "should seize this historic opportunity to achieve a comprehensive, broad-based and inclusive political settlement in Afghanistan," Qureshi stressed according to the statement.

The Afghan envoy thanked Qureshi for his role in efforts to enhance Pakistan-Afghanistan relations and for the support extended by the ministry of foreign affairs under his tenure.

نن مې د پاکستان خارجه وزیر شاه محمود قریشي سره د مخه ښې ناسته وکړه. د ماموریت موده کې مو د ده د همکاریو او حمایت نه د مننې ترڅنک ددواړو هیوادونو د اړیکو په لا ټینګښت او د سولې پروسې په پرمختګونو خبرې وکړې. ۱/۲ pic.twitter.com/u0FfPxqQF2

— Atif Mashal عاطف مشعل (@MashalAtif) August 12, 2020

The outgoing Afghan envoy also paid a farewell call on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa at GHQ in Rawalpindi.

“The dignitary thanked COAS for support to Afghanistan and Afghan peace process during his tenure,” ISPR said in a statement.

Earlier, Mashal was recieved by Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood as well. Today, "While expressing my gratitude to his strong support and active cooperation during my diplomatic mission in Islamabad, we deliberated on the latest developments in Afghan peace process and the need for further strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries," tweeted Mashal with regards to the meeting.

Today, I had a farewell meeting with H. E. Sohail Mahmood, foreign Secretary of Pakistan. While expressing my gratitude to his strong support and active cooperation during my diplomatic mission in Islamabad, 1/2 pic.twitter.com/aEZTysysxY

— Atif Mashal عاطف مشعل (@MashalAtif) August 11, 2020

 

we deliberated on the latest developments in Afghan peace process and the need for further strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries. Mr. Mahmood appreciated Afghan Gov’s recent peace-making efforts. 2/2

— Atif Mashal عاطف مشعل (@MashalAtif) August 11, 2020

 

Islamabad has played a key role in brokering the talks between the Taliban and the US and has since then been closely engaged with all relevant parties to take this process to the logical conclusion.

The first round of intra-Afghan dialogue is expected to take place in Doha while talks may shift to either Germany or Norway in the second phase. The intra-Afghan talks will discuss the future political dispensation of Afghanistan and a power-sharing arrangement between the Taliban and other groups. On its part, the US plans to limit its number of troops to 5,000 by the end of November. Pakistan, China and other neighbours of Afghanistan want the orderly withdrawal of foreign forces from the Afghan soil.

This past weekend Pakistan welcomed the Afghan Loya Jirga or Grand Assembly's approval to release remaining 400 Taliban prisoners, paving way for the much-anticipated intra-Afghan talks.