FM Qureshi reaches Turkey for two-day official visit

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi reached Istanbul on Friday for a two-day official visit to Turkey.

During his visit, FM Qureshi would participate in a trilateral meeting, which would be attended by his Turkish and Afghan counterparts to discuss the latest developments in the Afghan peace process.

The meeting would take place after a key conference on Afghan peace efforts was postponed for the second time after the Taliban refused to be part of the process.

FM Qureshi would also hold bilateral talks with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu. They will review the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and discuss preparations for the 7th Session of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, which will be held in Turkey this year.

The foreign minister is also expected to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Read more: Qureshi to discuss Afghan peace in Istanbul meet

As the efforts are underway to convince the Taliban, Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan Najibullah Ali Khil called on Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi on April 22.

"During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional security situation including the Afghan peace process, enhanced bilateral security and defence cooperation and effective border management between the two brotherly countries were discussed," the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

The COAS reiterated that peace in Afghanistan means peace in Pakistan. "Our sole aim is helping Afghans achieve a peaceful, sovereign, democratic, stable and prosperous Afghanistan," Gen Qamar was quoted as saying by the military’s media wing.

"Visiting dignitary appreciated Pakistan’s contributions for conflict prevention in the region and relentless support provided in the Afghan peace process," the statement added.