Qureshi invites Afghan counterpart to Islamabad following Istanbul conference

Hopes Istanbul Process would help make Doha Agreement successful in establishing lasting peace in Afghanistan

DUBAI:

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi invited on Sunday Afghan Foreign Minister Muhammad Haneef Atmar to Islamabad following the Istanbul conference, scheduled to be held later this month.

The invitation was extended during a telephonic conversation held between the two foreign ministers in Dubai, a day after Qureshi reached UAE on a three-day visit.

During the conversation, the pair also discussed the progress made so far on the Afghan peace process.

Spoke to FM @MHaneefAtmar on bilat relations & evolving Afghan Peace Process.We support reconciliation in 🇦🇫 and progress in peace process, in Istanbul. I look forward to meeting FM Atmar at Istanbul Conf & to hosting him in Pakistan soon after to discuss a way forward post conf.

— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) April 18, 2021

FM Qureshi and his counterpart also exchanged felicitations for the month of Ramazan.

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Speaking to the Afghan minister, Qureshi maintained that a peaceful, stable Afghanistan was in the interest of Pakistan, adding that the country wished for a reduction in violence in the war-torn country.

Qureshi further said that Pakistan is a partner in the efforts for peace in the region and is committed to continue its conciliatory assistance to make Afghanistan peaceful and stable.

The foreign minister hoped that the "Istanbul Process" would help make the Doha Agreement successful in its efforts to establish lasting peace in Afghanistan.

The Afghan foreign minister appreciated Pakistan's continued diplomatic, political and moral support in making the Afghan peace process fruitful, thanking Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood and the Pakistani leadership.

Qureshi also thanked his Afghan counterpart Atmar over the telephone.

FM UAE visit

Speaking at an Iftar dinner hosted by Pakistan Business Council in Dubai, Qureshi said it was a matter of satisfaction that despite the ill effects of the global coronavirus pandemic, Pakistan achieved positive results through its economic diplomacy.

He said the government with its economic diplomacy has successfully attracted the world towards the business opportunities available in Pakistan.

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The foreign minister assured that welfare and resolution of the problems being faced by expatriate Pakistanis was among the top priorities of the incumbent government.

He said it is a matter of pleasure that a huge number of Pakistanis are residing in the UAE and are playing a positive role in the development and progress of the country.

Qureshi stated that the aim of his visit to the UAE was to promote trade relations between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates in multiple fields.