Italy's foreign minister in Pakistan to discuss Afghanistan issue

Italy’s Foreign Minister, Luigi Di Maio, arrived in Islamabad on a two-day official visit to hold talks with the country's leadership over the situation in Afghanistan following the takeover by the Taliban. 

According to a Foreign Office (FO) statement, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his Italian counterpart will exchange views on the latest developments in Afghanistan whereas matters pertaining to bilateral relations will also be discussed.

The two sides closely coordinate on the issue in the UN Security Council.

Read Google locks Afghan government accounts as Taliban seek emails

Pakistan and Italy enjoy cordial relations, bilaterally as well as in the context of the European Union and multilateral fora, the statement said.

Since the takeover of Kabul by the Taliban, Pakistan has been asking the global powers to remain engaged with Afghanistan to prevent another humanitarian crisis.

Last week, UK Foreign Minister Dominic Raab had visited Pakistan to discuss the situation in the war-torn country with the Pakistani leadership.

The UK top envoy had announced that the British government would not accept the Taliban government, but it would still fund humanitarian projects in the country through international organisations.

The Taliban now control all of Afghanistan after resistance in Panjshir valley, led by the son of Ahmad Shah Massoud, former vice president Amarullah Saleh was defeated by Taliban forces.