Pakistan playing role of facilitator in Afghan reconciliation process: Sartaj Aziz

Says British govt is told to keep Pakistan abreast of any investigation reports regarding case against MQM chief

KABUL: Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said on Thursday that Pakistan desires early start of talks between Kabul and different Afghan groups for peace and stability, Radio Pakistan reported.

"Pakistan is only playing the role of facilitator in the reconciliation process and persuading the groups it has contacts with to start the dialogue process," he further said.

The adviser to prime minister on foreign affairs adviser also said that there are prospects of dialogue between Afghan government and different groups in the coming days.

He said Pakistan is pursuing the policy of non-interference in Afghanistan and hoped this policy will also be followed by other regional countries.

"Afghanistan needs a lot of help for economic development but it has to resolve the political issues on its own," he further said.

Sartaj said the country wants strong trade and economic relations with Afghanistan as part of its policy of peaceful neighborhood.

"Engagements with the neighboring countries have been enhanced in order to achieve this objective," he added.

He said that a series of steps have been taken to remove trade impediments and enhance volume of trade with the neighboring country.

Sartaj further said that both the countries are also pursuing liberal visa policy to give impetus to trade and economic relations.

He pointed out that mineral resources in Afghanistan are enormous and hoped the international community will extend a helping hand for the exploitation and utilisation of these resources.

MQM chief case

Aziz said that the interior minister has handed over necessary documents to British High Commissioner relating to case registered against Muttahida Qaumi Movement's (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain.

On March 17, the Rangers filed a case against Altaf, on the request of the force's spokesperson Colonel Tahir Mehmood, for allegedly threatening the paramilitary force.

Rangers file case against MQM chief Altaf Hussain

Addressing the media after a conference in Islamabad, the adviser to prime minister on foreign affairs said the British government is told to keep Pakistan abreast of any investigation reports in this matter, Express News reported.