Pakistan would remain closely engaged with US over Afghanistan, Qureshi tells Blinken

FM shares Pakistan's perspective noting the significant change in the situation within a short span of time

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi underlined on Tuesday that Pakistan would remain closely engaged with the United States and other international partners for promoting a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.

The foreign minister expressed the resolve during a telephonic conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in which both sides discussed the rapidly changing situation in Afghanistan.

President Joe Biden earlier defended the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan after the Taliban's stunning military takeover that triggered panic in Kabul with thousands mobbing the airport in a desperate attempt to flee.

In his first public appearance since the group seized control of the country at the weekend, he admitted the Taliban advance had unfolded more quickly than expected.

During the telephonic conversation, FM Qureshi shared Pakistan's perspective noting the significant change in the situation within a short span of time and the avoidance of violence.

"Continued US economic engagement with Afghanistan is of crucial importance as well," FM Qureshi said, further stressing the importance of inclusive political settlement as the best way forward.

He also apprised Secretary Blinken of Pakistan's efforts to facilitate the evacuation of personnel and staff of diplomatic missions, international organizations, media and others.

Spoke with @SecBlinken on the rapidly changing situation in Afghanistan:

➖ Stressed the importance of an inclusive political settlement as the best way forward.
➖ Highlighted Pakistan will remain closely engaged w/ U.S./ partners to support a peaceful & stable Afghanistan.

— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) August 16, 2021

On Pakistan-US bilateral relations, the foreign minister underlined Pakistan's commitment to forging a broad-based, long-term and sustainable relationship with the US that is anchored in peace, deeper economic cooperation and regional connectivity.

Meanwhile, in a tweet, Qureshi said Pakistan always demonstrated a constructive role in Afghanistan, including its efforts in facilitating an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process and many other economic and humanitarian efforts.

Pakistan cannot stress enough the importance of the international community to remain engaged and involved in Afghanistan in a constructive manner. https://t.co/4kDMRtJZFV

— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) August 16, 2021

"Our mission in Kabul is working tirelessly to issue visas, to evacuate diplomats, NGO workers, and media personnel," he added.

Pakistan continues to demonstrate a constructive role in 🇦🇫 including facilitating peace that is Afghan led and owned among many economic & humanitarian efforts. Our mission in Kabul is working tirelessly to issue visas, to evacuate diplomats, NGO workers, media personnel et al.

— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) August 16, 2021

In another statement, FM Qureshi said it was unfortunate that Pakistan was, once again, denied the opportunity to speak at the United Nations Security Council meeting held on Monday over Afghanistan.

He regretted that at this critical juncture in the destiny of Afghanistan, India's partisan and obstructionist actions, repeatedly politicizing this multilateral platform, whose raison deter is peace, speaks volumes of its intention for Afghanistan and the region.